AGL has predicted that in order to meet the growing demand of the energy network it will need to spend over $1 billion on maintaining and upgrading its generation assets in the 2023-24 financial year. In addition, AGL is adding 300MW of new flexible generation into the National Electricity Market with the Torrens and Broken Hill batteries. Ahead of the […]
Maintenance
How to choose the right torque limiter when operating valves
Utility Journalist Asset management, Condition Assessment, Maintenance, Sponsored Editorial, Sustainability 0It’s easy to imagine that a stuck or very difficult valve is the primary reason for purchasing such a tool. However, this is not necessarily the best reason to use a portable valve actuator. Here we discuss the key considerations to take into account when choosing a torque limiter. Too much torque can cause serious damage to the valve, and […]
SA reservoir reopens following completion of refurbishment
Steph Barker Asset management, Maintenance, News, Projects, Spotlight, Water 0The Warren Reservoir has officially reopened to the public for on-water access following SA Water’s refurbishment of the dam intake and scour valves. Visitors to the reservoir reserve are now able to again enjoy a paddle on the water after the reservoir reached a level suitable for kayaking, with access via the southern car park and kayak launch area. The […]
Power crews on standby during gas turbine maintenance
Steph Barker Asset management, Company news, Gas, Maintenance, News, Spotlight 0Local and specialist crews from Western Power will be on standby as essential planned maintenance is undertaken on Synergy’s two gas turbine generators at Mungarra between 2–24 October 2023. The gas turbine generators act as a backup power supply for Geraldton and surrounds and can be used for significant planned or unplanned outages on Western Power’s network by ‘islanding’ the […]
Large package of works completed on VIC electricity network
Steph Barker Asset management, Electricity, Maintenance, News, Spotlight 0Powercor has completed a large package of works in the Otways region of Victoria as part of its year-round maintenance of western Victoria’s electricity network. Powercor said the works have strengthened the local network ahead of summer, and will support the reliability and resilience of poles and wires in what is one of the most remote places in the entire […]
Contract awarded for $35M NSW sewerage plant upgrade
Yasmin Isaacs Condition Assessment, Maintenance, News, Projects, Spotlight, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Central Coast Council has awarded a contract for Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant’s odour facilities, marking another step towards the $35 million upgrade for the sewerage treatment plan This contract for the design and construction of a new inlet works Odour Control Facility and the full refurbishment of the Primary Sedimentation Tanks Odour Control Facility has been awarded to Gongues […]
Sydney Water commences $185M wastewater network upgrade
Yasmin Isaacs Maintenance, News, Projects, Spotlight, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Sydney Water is conducting upgrades to the Richmond Wastewater network to help accommodate the rapidly increasing population, with the construction upgrade expected to create 200 job opportunities. The project will include a new wastewater pumping station and the construction of a new seven kilometre main which is expected to transfer wastewater from North Richmond to Richmond. The improvements are in […]
To dam or not to dam
Chris Bland Civil Construction, Dams, Features, Land access, Maintenance, Spotlight, Water 1Over the long term, dams can provide the cheapest source of bulk water for the urban environment, and dam water is easier to treat than other sources, such as seawater desalination. However, their construction can involve significant costs, and environmental impacts. The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) has prepared a detailed study into dams. Surface water dams have long […]
Annual NSW bushfire prevention program complete
Yasmin Isaacs Condition Assessment, Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring, Maintenance, News, Projects 0Transgrid has carried out safety management procedures such as helicopter inspections, thermographic surveying and network maintenance over thousands of kilometres to help prevent bushfires within New South Wales. As part of the program, Transgrid performed helicopter inspections, aerial imagery, 3D laser scanning, thermographic surveying, vegetation management and network maintenance to help local communities prepare for the upcoming summer. Transgrid’s 2023 […]
Five year assessment on NSW dam complete
Yasmin Isaacs Dams, Maintenance, News, Projects, Spotlight, Water 0Hunter Water has completed a five year risk assessment of the Chichester Dam in New South Wales as part of its routine assessment program. The Chichester Dam was built in the 1920s to serve the community and has continued to do so for hundreds of years. Over time the New South Wales water sector has continued to understand the conditions […]
Historic upgrades for SA’s poo powerhouse
Patricia Mae Tagabe Asset management, Maintenance, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0A reliable waste management service is critical to public health, and the facilities providing this service need to be dependable and durable. Headlined by the largest upgrade in recent memory for the state’s largest wastewater treatment facility, SA Water is taking steps to maintain reliable sewer services for years to come. With 28 wastewater treatment plants located across South Australia, […]
VIC water utility claims two top honour awards
Yasmin Isaacs Civil Construction, Events, Maintenance, News, Projects, Sustainability 0Two of a Victorian utility’s projects have taken home top honour at the annual Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Awards (AILAA) for 2023. Melbourne Water has won both the Victorian Award of Excellence for Land Management for its Lower Werribee Waterways Amenity Action Plan and the AILAA 2023 Victorian Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure for its Reimagining Tarralla Creek project. […]
Inflow and infiltration: can you afford to do nothing?
Kody Cook Asset management, Maintenance, Sponsored Editorial, Water 0If left unattended, inflow and infiltration (I/I) can cause significant damage to essential infrastructure, skyrocketing operational and maintenance costs. Here are five simple and cost-effective tools to reduce I/I and ease the burden of water, soil and root ingress into sewer and stormwater assets. With an increased understanding of the damage and cost of I/I on sewerage infrastructure, more water […]
First stage of major WA water mains upgrade complete
Steph Barker Asset management, Maintenance, News, Spotlight, Water 0The first stage of a $9.6 million Western Australia State Government major water mains replacement project has been completed on the South Western Highway at Bunbury. Aqwest, Bunbury’s water supplier, completed the $800,000 water network upgrade project, replacing 2km of mains from Halifax Drive to Centenary Road. It’s the first part of the project, which will run over ten years, […]
The challenges of monitoring leaks in water networks
Kody Cook Asset management, Condition Assessment, Digital Utilities, IOT, Maintenance, Sponsored Editorial 0Monitoring water networks for leaks is an essential part of any modern water loss management program. In Australia, monitoring water networks for leaks is becoming increasingly important as the country faces growing demand for water resources and the need to manage the impacts of climate change. A key obstacle to the wider adoption of monitoring technologies was their installation, operation […]
Property Managers’ Answer to Water Challenges
Kody Cook Asset management, Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring, IOT, Maintenance, Sponsored Editorial 0Smart metering is helping facility and property managers face the challenges of understanding water usage and reducing costs. If left unchecked, leaks and inefficient water use can result in poor ESG outcomes, high water bills, and building damage – it can also destroy a good NABERS Water rating. Smart meters use a data display and analysis system like UtiliOS, which […]
QLD Gov allocates $116.4M to Paradise Dam
Kody Cook Civil Construction, Dams, Maintenance, News, Projects, Spotlight, Water 0The Queensland Government has allocated $116.4 million to support pre‑construction activities for the Paradise Dam Improvement Project, which is set to begin major construction in late 2023. In one of the most complex engineering projects in the region’s history, these major dam improvement works will deliver long-term water security for the Bundaberg region by restoring the dam’s capacity and will […]
Essential repairs begin on Townsville City sewer main
Kody Cook Maintenance, News, Pipelines, Spotlight, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Townsville City Council has begun renewal of the essential underground wastewater trunk pipeline on Thuringowa Drive, which transports sewerage from Kirwan and surrounding areas to the Mount St John Sewerage Treatment Plant. Infrastructure Services Committee chairperson, Kurt Rehbein, said the works were part of Council’s ongoing commitment to providing reliable wastewater services to the Townsville community. “As a council we […]
The value of trusted partners for successful energy projects
Holly Tancredi Asset management, Electricity, Maintenance, Projects, Sponsored Editorial 0Experienced and skilled teams are essential for decommissioning ageing power assets, which require proper planning and procedures to mitigate the associated safety risks, while also carefully managing the interests of multiple stakeholders. For the significant decommissioning works on the Preston Conversion Strategy procedure, Jemena engaged with trusted partner Zinfra. Since the 1920s, the Preston distribution network has operated with a […]
The power of vegetation management in the red centre
Utility Journalist Asset management, Disaster Management, Electricity, Features, Maintenance, Projects, Safety and Training 0Vegetation management is a vital part of helping to protect the Alice Springs community from the impacts of severe weather. You might not expect wild storms, gusty winds and heavy rains in the desert regions of Central Australia, yet they occur frequently during late spring and summer. The storms can cause significant destruction, and the town of Alice Springs – […]
Vegetation management that’s ahead of the pack
Utility Journalist Asset management, Electricity, Features, Maintenance, Powerlines, Projects, Sponsored Editorial 0Meeting strict and increasingly complex regulatory requirements is perhaps one of the greatest challenges faced by most modern utilities. The inherently high-risk nature of the sector means it is highly regulated across a number of facets, with vegetation management being an area requiring particular attention. Meeting the challenge of adhering to vegetation regulatory requirements is too complex a task to […]
Spacers assisting with corrosion management
Utility Journalist Asset management, Features, Maintenance, Pipelines, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0All pipelines are exposed to a range of physical, climatic and chemical elements that can cause corrosion. This is often exacerbated in harsh environments, where pipelines are exposed to high salt levels or extreme temperatures that can accelerate the rate of decay. Ignoring the effects of corrosion can be costly for asset owners, and planning for corrosion control and mitigation […]
Boosting security for telecommunication assets
Utility Journalist Asset management, Cyber Security, Digital Utilities, Features, Maintenance, Retail, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial, Stakeholder Engagement, Telecommunications 0Working with leading telecommunication provider Optus, Spectur has delivered surveillance solutions to protect critical assets from theft and vandalism. After three years of partnering together, Optus and Spectur will extend their collaboration to boost security for vulnerable telecommunication assets and support Optus’s commitment to strengthening mobile network security. Optus has updated its Statement of Works with Spectur through an existing […]
Upgrade for 90-year-old Bendigo pipeline
Tayla Oates Civil Construction, Disaster Management, Irrigation, Maintenance, News, Pipelines, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water 0Coliban Water has completed slip-lining works onf a historic 90-year old pipeline in Eaglehawk, Victoria, as part of ongoing works to enhance water security for rural customers in the area. The pipeline stretches over two kilometres, extending from Upper California Gully Road to Butts Road. Coliban Water Manager Infrastructure, Corey Bourne, said the works are part of an upgrade which […]
How Qld’s largest sewer was upgraded while the city slept
Katie Livingston Asset management, Features, Irrigation, Maintenance, Pipelines, Projects, Sponsored Editorial, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Over 100 years since its inception, Brisbane’s S1 Main Sewer underwent an ambitious seven-year upgrade. By harnessing the power of innovation, Urban Utilities and its delivery partner, Interflow, have given new life to a hidden but essential piece of infrastructure. Deep under Brisbane’s bustling CBD lies the city’s oldest and largest sewer pipeline. Averaging 1.5m in diameter, the S1 Main […]
Overcoming challenges in Port Melbourne network augmentation project
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Features, Maintenance, News, Pipelines, Projects, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0A new innovation precinct in Fishermans Bend is set to position Victoria as a global leader in engineering, manufacturing and design. However, before the redevelopment work could start, there was the complex task of augmenting the existing power network. Daly’s Constructions had to innovate to combat weak ground conditions, traffic management constraints and to navigate 150 existing underground services. The […]
Augment vegetation management with satellite imagery
Utility Journalist Asset management, Digital Utilities, Features, Maintenance, Powerlines, Projects, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0From roads and railways to power lines and pipelines, encroaching vegetation can cause downtime, damage and catastrophes. Utility vegetation management remains a huge line item in most annual budgets, involving manual inspection of thousands of infrastructure miles. But it’s mainly reactive maintenance, leaving very little focus on prevention. Satellite technology provides a great opportunity to augment existing methods, offering more […]
Upgrade for Melbourne’s oldest water main
Tayla Oates Asset management, Civil Construction, Disaster Management, Maintenance, News, Pipelines, Projects, Spotlight, Water 0Greater Western Water (GWW) has announced an essential upgrade to a 2km section on one of Melbourne’s oldest water mains – the Royal Parade water main in Parkville. Greater Western Water’s (GWW) General Manager Growth and Infrastructure, Amanda Smith, said the existing water main was built in 1889 and was in need of an upgrade to maintain a safe and […]
New water main for Port Vincent
Tayla Oates Civil Construction, Irrigation, Maintenance, News, Pipelines, Projects, Sustainability, Water 0SA Water has commenced the installation of a new water main in Port Vincent, which stretches for around 990m and runs under Lime Kiln Road, Kent Road, Alma Street, and Correll Street, as part of a four-year, $155 million water main management program by SA Water. SA Water’s General Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure, Amanda Lewry, said these works will involve […]
Construction underway on City of Marion’s $5.67M water recovery project
Tayla Oates Asset management, Civil Construction, Irrigation, Maintenance, News, Pipelines, Projects, Pumps, Spotlight, Water 0City of Marion’s $5.67 million water recovery project aimed at improving water recovery and reducing reliance on irrigated River Murray water has progressed to the construction phase. A 14km pipeline extension at Marion is expected to deliver at least 143ML of non-potable water to local parks and reserves, reducing the reliance on irrigated River Murray water. The pipeline extension will […]
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