Seymour Whyte delivered for Cairns City Council this complex and challenging project that has produced an important, world-class recreational facility.

This project involved major water-retaining concrete structures and other concrete works, buildings, earthworks, drainage works and utility services in the construction of a swimming facility offering year-round safe swimming in a non tidal salt-water lagoon, complemented by attractive landscaping, notable artworks and recreational areas.

The 4,800m2 ambient temperature lagoon is surrounded by sandy beaches, shaded boardwalks and decks with an amenities building and Police Beat building, all delivered as part of this project. Safety considerations were paramount in the lagoon’s design and construction due to the high proportion of tourist users.

Seymour Whyte provided key management and engineering expertise that was able to successfully manage the numerous complexities and challenges presented by this project and to accommodate a significant number of client initiated scope changes with minimal impact on time.

Challenges included the management of numerous interfaces that included coordination with adjacent concurrent Cairns “City Port North” works, liaison with local retailers, the community and other stakeholders within the busy retail, commercial and tourism district of Cairns.

Technical and environmental challenges included design and construction of extensive and complex filtration and chlorination systems, the construction of foundations on compressible marine sediments, the relocation of significant trees and the management of construction activity within an environmentally sensitive area that included fish habitats and mud flats that hosted internationally protected migratory birds.

A proactive and collaborative approach with designers plus innovative construction methods were employed to improve efficiency, provide value for money outcomes and ensure timely completion that all contributed to the success of the Cairns Esplanade Project which exceeded the expectations of the Council and the local community.

Winner - 2003 Queensland Case Earth Awards Category 3 – Construction Excellence (project value over $10 million)
 

Seymour Whyte delivered for Cairns City Council this complex and challenging project that has produced an important, world-class recreational facility.

This project involved major water-retaining concrete structures and other concrete works, buildings, earthworks, drainage works and utility services in the construction of a swimming facility offering year-round safe swimming in a non tidal salt-water lagoon, complemented by attractive landscaping, notable artworks and recreational areas.

The 4,800m2 ambient temperature lagoon is surrounded by sandy beaches, shaded boardwalks and decks with an amenities building and Police Beat building, all delivered as part of this project. Safety considerations were paramount in the lagoon’s design and construction due to the high proportion of tourist users.

Seymour Whyte provided key management and engineering expertise that was able to successfully manage the numerous complexities and challenges presented by this project and to accommodate a significant number of client initiated scope changes with minimal impact on time.

Challenges included the management of numerous interfaces that included coordination with adjacent concurrent Cairns “City Port North” works, liaison with local retailers, the community and other stakeholders within the busy retail, commercial and tourism district of Cairns.

Technical and environmental challenges included design and construction of extensive and complex filtration and chlorination systems, the construction of foundations on compressible marine sediments, the relocation of significant trees and the management of construction activity within an environmentally sensitive area that included fish habitats and mud flats that hosted internationally protected migratory birds.

A proactive and collaborative approach with designers plus innovative construction methods were employed to improve efficiency, provide value for money outcomes and ensure timely completion that all contributed to the success of the Cairns Esplanade Project which exceeded the expectations of the Council and the local community.

Winner - 2003 Queensland Case Earth Awards Category 3 – Construction Excellence (project value over $10 million)