58-metre boardwalk, 6-metre bridge crossing and 48sqm viewing platform at Caddens Rise is the...
- Client
- Mirvac Communities
- Project Partners
- Sturt Noble Associates
- State
- New South Wales
Celebrating the rustic roots of a prized residential community.
Elizabeth Hills is a prized residential community in Western Sydney characterised by gentle slopes, meandering creeks and open grassed woodlands.
As part of the expansive, rustic-inspired masterplan, FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban) was contracted to deliver multiple Access and Shade elements for the site’s developers, Mirvac. The most significant was a 30-metre multi-span pedestrian bridge over Hinchinbrook Creek which we delivered using a variation on our standard Balmoral system, customised in collaboration with landscape architects, Sturt Noble Associates.
Our involvement.
FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban) was engaged by Mirvac as a collaborative partner in the design and construction of all structural elements at Hinchinbrook Creek, from the early design and Development Approval stages, through to fabrication and final completion on site.
Guided by our proprietary project methodology, we began by taking the initial bridge concepts from Sturt Noble Associates and transforming them into tangible designs, using one of our standard bridge system as the base, BALMORAL.
Once approved by Mirvac, we successfully led the detailing and delivery stages of the 30-metre multi-span bridge, raising the necessary documentation and meeting stringent quality and budget requirements – while always maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the design.
In addition to the new bridge, we also collaborated on the design and construction of three expansive boardwalks using our SEASCAPE system.
Design Challenge
While the former Cecil Hills Homestead site is now dedicated to residential living, the Elizabeth Hills design team at Sturt Noble Associates wanted the spirit of the original homestead to remain a special part of the idyllic parkland setting. At the heart of their design concept was a waterfront precinct along Hinchinbrook Creek that seamlessly incorporated bridges & boardwalks into the natural surroundings.
Construction Challenge
The Hinchinbrook Creek brief came with a series of stringent quality requirements from both Council and Mirvac. Meeting these required close collaboration between all project partners, as did staying within the tight budget while still maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the original designs – all delivered on a steep and slippery site, literally on the water’s edge.
Innovations
The underlying structure is our standard Balmoral bridge system. However we worked with Sturt Noble Associates to tweak up the design to be really warm with timber elements etc – keeping costs efficient and low by using the standard product but slightly tweaking to make it unique to the Elizabeth Hills project.
Features
- Multi-span pedestrian bridge (Balmoral)
- Three hardwood boardwalks (Seascape)
Safety and Risk Considerations
As with most bridge installations, our on-site crews were frequently working near and over the water. The steep and slippery slopes adjacent to Hinchinbrook Creek also required careful safety attention at all times.
Sustainability Considerations
To complement the rustic tone of the wider Elizabeth Hills development, unique timbers and natural finishes were specified for the new bridge. This included the extensive use of locally-sourced Australian class 1 hardwoods.
