Port Welshpool
Long Jetty Fire System

Project Details

Brief

The Port Welshpool Long Jetty was constructed in the late 1930’s, and was extended in the 1980’s to service the Bass Strait Oil and Gas industries. At 932 metres long it is one of the longest timber jetties in Australia and is unique in that it curves to align with the Port Welshpool navigation channel. The site is listed in the Heritage Victoria Inventory as being of archaeological interest and has been registered by the National Trust of Victoria.

Over time the condition of the jetty structure fell into disrepair and was eventually closed to the public in 2003. In February 2010 a fire destroyed a section of approximately 370 square metres of the jetty.

In 2017 funding was secured through grants from Regional Development Victoria, the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and South Gippsland Shire Council to restore pedestrian access to the jetty for recreational usage. The reconstruction project included a section of precast concrete deck with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant handrail, restoration of a slipway winch shed, emergency access ladders, public lighting and a HDPE Pipeline for the fire service.

Challenge

The project required fire hydrant installations system design, fabrication and welding of HDPE pipeline below an existing marine structure, installation of and commissioning.

Delivery of the project required full compliance of fire hydrants in a marine environment, factoring in security and corrosive elements whilst closely adhering to the fire service design prepared by CDDD Fire & Hydraulic Services Design and approved by the CFA. 

The degree of difficulty was compounded by tidal activity and the wild weather events typical to Bass Strait.

Solution

GEM had the equipment and capabilities to provide fully licenced and qualified staff to perform the required works – including the commissioning and quality assurance checks associated with a fire service line. 

With much of the work being below the deck of the jetty, GEM engineers devised a procedure to float the welders to the site at periods that synchronised with Tidal activity.

Following the successful installation phase GEM performed pressure & flow testing to stringent fire code requirements.

GEM was also responsible for the removal and disposal of the redundant fire service.