Upgrades to the Ryde River Walk provides seamless community access to a natural treasure of...
- Client
- Transport for NSW
- Project Partners
- John Holland/CPB (Lead Contractor), Hassell (Landscape Architect), HL Landscapes (Landscape Contractor)
- State
- New South Wales
Wetlands walkway meets Sydney’s inner west.
Located on the site of the old Rozelle Rail Yards in Sydney’s inner west, Rozelle Parklands is a central component of WestConnex – Australia’s largest road project. Delivered for Transport for NSW through a $3.9 billion joint venture between John Holland and CPB (JHCPB), the project featured significant tunnelling for a new underground motorway interchange together with extensive above-groundwork to create an expansive new public domain for the local community.
As part of the 10-hectare greenspace, FORGE was engaged to cost, detail, manufacture and hand-install a custom 80-metre hardwood timber boardwalk based on our WATERSIDE™ system.
Our involvement.
FORGE’s initial involvement at Rozelle Parklands came via the project’s landscape architects, Hassell. On their recommendation, we were invited to price the specified boardwalk concept to be delivered for John Holland/CPB by HL Landscapes.
As part of our formal response, we took the opportunity to refine the preferred concept to ensure it was closely aligned with the allocated budget whilst still remaining true to the overall creative intent.
Once the revised approach was approved, we were then engaged directly under HL Landscapes to design, detail, manufacture and install the boardwalk.
Design Challenge
The original curved boardwalk vision was created by landscape architects, Hassell. Our challenge was to translate their concept into a real-world structure that could be safely delivered within a complex construction envelope, whilst also remaining on budget.
This required extensive design detailing, with particular thought given to the assembly methodology, connection points, materials and finishes. The solution saw our design team make a series of custom modifications to our lightweight WATERSIDE™ elevated boardwalk system.
Construction Challenge
With limited site access and no ability to use heavy machinery or cranes, the entire 80-metre timber boardwalk had to be hand-assembled within a very cluttered construction envelope. Starting at the northern end and working steadily south, the labour-intensive process required high levels of precision and craftsmanship.
Access to materials and equipment was also heavily restricted, with our installation team needing to co-ordinate closely with John Holland to ensure worktimes were maximised and deadlines met.
Innovation
The concept for the boardwalk had been approved. However achieving it was far from straightforward. A series of clever design innovations were required to ensure the aesthetic form of the finished boardwalk stayed true to the original design intent, whilst also being structurally sound and ‘buildable’ within the confines of the site. This required numerous adaptations made in close and ongoing collaboration with the project engineers.
Features
- 80-metre curved elevated timber boardwalk (3-metres wide)
- Midway viewing platform with seating
- Integrated lighting
Materials
- Galvanised steel
- Unseasoned hardwood timber joists
- Class 1 Hardwood timber decking (Spotted Gum)
- Seasoned timber handrails (Ironbark)
- Woven wire mesh balustrade screens
Safety & Risk Considerations
Safety is always of paramount importance to John Holland/CPB and the Rozelle Parklands project was no different. Quality and safety certifiers were a familiar presence across the busy site, with regular toolbox talks and checks ensuring safety was central to all works completed. Pleasingly, we were complimented on being amongst the safest contractors on the entire Rozelle Parklands site.
Sustainability Considerations
Sustainability is a significant benefit of specifying the WATERSIDE™ boardwalk system. Coupled with the use of locally-sourced Class 1 Australian hardwoods for the joists, decking and handrails, it means the Rozelle Parklands boardwalk has a far lower embodied carbon footprint than similarly-sized concrete or steel structures – yet still offers outstanding durability and design life.
