The project involves the construction of approximately 400 km of 12 inch high pressure gas pipeline from Moranbah in Central Queensland through to the Townsville power station.
APC were required to establish a main camp some 100 km from Nebo, a “˜fly camp’ just north of Collinsville and a third camp north of Ayr.
The requirement at the main camp was for accommodation for 280 personnel in semi-ensuite units plus full kitchen, dining room, wet and dry mess, as well as a fully equipped gymnasium. The “˜fly camps’ were to have similar units in place but with accommodation for 50 personnel initially. APC were also required to supply full water and sewage treatment units at both camps.
Initial mobilisation was delayed due to heavy rain early in February. Access to Camp 1 was impossible and some 20 accommodation units were off-loaded at a temporary depot at Nebo. In mid-February mobilisation resumed and Frank Martino’s team of camp installers moved to establish Camp 1 north of Nebo. His team consisted of certified electricians, plumbers and an experienced crew of “˜camp installers’. By the end of February the brand new project-specific kitchen and dining room were installed, allowing the caterers to move in and set up their operation.
APC was responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the camp once it became operational, as well as the transportation of potable water from Nebo, a 200 km round trip. This was achieved with their own potable water tanker which was assigned to the project together with a smaller tanker for the “˜fly camps’.
Over the Easter break, while the mainline construction crew were on leave, Camp 2 was established. This operation involved the transportation of some 48 units using one of the Collinsville transportation contractors who operated two and three trailer road trains. Using the APC patented method, all units were easily unloaded from the trailers, eliminating clumsy and awkward handling with cranes and slings.
Hooking up to the APC patented electrical and sewerage systems was a breeze and Camp 2 was fully operational and ready for occupants well before the end of the cycle leave period.
This project, together with other recent projects (SEA Gas, Eastern Gas Pipeline, Telfer and BassGas Projects), confirms Australian Portable Camps’ capabilities as the leading portable camp supplier and installer in Australia.