Taking the high way on Coopernook to Herons Creek

Taking The High Way On Coopernook To Herons Creek
Taking the high way on Coopernook to Herons Creek
  • Solutions to environmental issues complemented state-of-the-art engineering to create a world class, environmentally sustainable project
  • The project was a finalist in the 2010 Civil Construction Federation’s Earth Awards for Built Environment projects over $150 million and a finalist in the Banksia Awards 2010 Built Environment category
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On the Coopernook to Herons Creek Project, solutions to environmental issues complemented state-of-the-art engineering to create a world-class, environmentally-sustainable project that set new benchmarks in the industry.

Pacific Highway: Coopernook to Herons Creek

This 33 kilometre upgrade of the Pacific Highway is located between two major regional NSW centres – Taree and Port Macquarie. The project comprised new dual carriageway, duplication of the existing highway, 17 new bridges and 52 culverts. It traverses state forest, national parks, ecologically endangered communities, a coastal wetland of national significance, a number of sensitive Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage sites, and nine tributaries including two major river systems.

Environmental management on the project addressed air quality, water and energy use, heritage and cultural values, and sustainable management of flora and fauna. The narrow project corridor ran in part between the north coast rail line and the Middle Brother National Park and had more than 15 water courses to manage, two of which were major crossings.

The project was a finalist in the 2010 Civil Construction Federation’s Earth Awards for Built Environment projects over $150 million and a finalist in the Banksia Awards 2010 Built Environment category.

187,000 Seedlings Were Planted, Eventually Equating To Taking 1,265 Cars Off The Highway
187,000 seedlings were planted, eventually equating to taking 1,265 cars off the highway

Environmental highlights include:

  • ‘DustBlock’ trials to reduce dust generation on unsurfaced roads
  • Treated wastewater used for dust suppression and construction
  • Rainwater tanks installed to capture more than 1 million litres of water for use onsite
  • Protection of Aboriginal heritage, in consultation with the local community
  • 50% Green Power accredited electricity supply saved 963tCO2-e
  • Successfully trialled the Hino Hybrid Truck, reducing fuel consumption by up to 30%
  • Reused 150 demobilised power poles for fauna crossings, installed frog fencing along roads to protect threatened frog populations, and installed nine kilometres of fauna fencing
Pacific Highway: Coopernook to Herons Creek
Pacific Highway: Coopernook to Herons Creek