Wetland for Broken Hill
When we think of Broken Hill, we usually think of clear blue skies, wide red landscapes and a history as a pioneering mining town. As an example of the diverse range of projects our teams undertake, Tonkin Consulting was recently commissioned by the Broken Hill Council to undertake investigations, detailed design and documentation of works associated with the Mulga Creek Wetland at Broken Hill. This followed the completion of the Broken Hill Urban Stormwater Master Plan in 2006.
Broken Hill is subject to a semi-arid climate, with an average annual rainfall of 253mm and annual evaporation of approximately 2.5m. The wetland site is situated at the downstream end of a large urban catchment (approx 400ha), which includes the CBD. Overflows from the Mulga Creek Wetland discharge to Imperial Lake via Mulga Creek and ultimately, the Darling River system.
The main objectives of the wetland are to improve water quality and maximise the environmental and amenity value of the site. The wetland will also provide opportunities to harvest stormwater to service the irrigation demands of adjacent council green space. An ongoing aquifer storage and recovery investigation will determine the feasibility of implementing these techniques.
A multi-disciplinary team, managed by Tonkin Consulting, was assembled to undertake the design and included engineers, hydrogeologists and environmental scientists.
Engineering investigations for the wetland involved assessment of the hydrology of the system, including detailed water balance modelling, modelling of improvements in water quality and a hydraulic analysis of the system. Other investigations undertaken included landscaping, geotechnical, and preliminary hydrogeological assessments.
Based on these investigations, a concept design was developed for the wetland and a process of community consultation undertaken. Following completion of the consultation period, Tonkin Consulting undertook the detailed design and documentation of the civil works.
Construction of the wetland was completed in late 2007. Since this time the council has been seeking to establish partnerships with a range of community, education and government organisations to operate the wetland as a research facility. This research is considered likely to contribute important baseline scientific data for any future constructed wetlands in arid environments.
Tonkin Consulting is renown for designing and developing award-winning constructed wetlands, under many different environments. For more information about this project, phone Drew Jacobi a Director of Tonkin Consulting, 8273 3100. |
