Rocla’s PermaTrak precast boardwalk system is proving ideal for pedestrian access in environmentally sensitive areas, whether they are natural or artificial.
A recent installation provided an elevated boardwalk over an artificial wetland at the heart of a sustainable residential development in Victoria. The track includes 258 metres of boardwalk in a T-shaped plan, 2 metres wide, supported on piers constructed from Rocla® steel-reinforced concrete pipes.
Wyndham Waters, a 850-lot subdivision at Hoppers Crossing, south-west of Melbourne, is being developed by Urban Property Corporation with a strong focus on energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and aesthetic appeal. ESD principles were employed to integrate waterways, water gardens and bio-retention swales into the street network, with an extensive central water treatment wetland and lake system.
Landscape architects Tract Consulting specified the PermaTrak system for its durability, long-term cost effectiveness and resistance to termites, fire and vandalism.
Tract’s Melissa Dunlop said a cost-effective system was required because of the sheer length of the boardwalk required to cross the 190-metre wide lake system. “We also needed a system that was aesthetically appealing as well as durable,” Melissa said. “The Rocla system fulfilled our requirements and its appearance was in keeping with traditional timber plank boardwalks.”
The boardwalk was designed by consultants Miller & Merrigan and installed by Winslow Constructors for Wyndham City Council.
Rocla’s engineering design group assisted with layout configurations, typical details and key set-out dimensioning, which allowed the designers to optimise the number and positioning of support structures.
(Taken from Rocla – August 2006)
