Whicher Range (WR-1 & WR-4) Rehabilitation Works

Leeuwin Civil was engaged to perform ground rehabilitation works at Whicher Range, following the sealing of WR-1 and WR-4 on this decommissioned well site south of Busselton.

Leeuwin Civil mobilised its fleet of major plant and equipment including scrapers, a 30t excavator, 40t dump truck, and D10 Dozer to perform the works, which involved the testing and removal of contaminated soils prior to the rehabilitation of some 5.8 hectares of ground area.

Following soil testing for hydrocarbons, approximately 4,150 tonnes of Class 2, and 842 tonnes of Class 1 contaminated soils was removed from site. The ground was then reshaped to match the existing contours through detailed earthworks to maximise the rainfall and reduce scouring. This was in compliance with the statutory requirements of the Rehabilitation Environmental Plan (REP) to form a self-sustaining ecosystem – the primary objective of the works.

Works were carried out under safety and environmental management plans issued under Leeuwin Civil’s ISO accredited systems. Protection initiatives included the delineation of each of the capped wells with barriers to limit potential disturbance. For safe removal of the contaminated material, a limestone pad was constructed on a PVC membrane to prevent any further contamination of the site during loading and transportation.

The project was completed to time and to the client’s satisfaction with an Extension of Time (EOT) issued to allow for the removal of the contaminated material.