RAAF Amberley, Queensland, Australia

ACG have been engaged to undertake the detail design and construction supervision of the new C-17 parking apron at RAAF Amberley. The works are being delivered under the managing contractor framework for the Department of Defence.

• Site planning for the optimum location of the parking apron.
• Value management for parking area sizing
• Aircraft ground lighting, Apron lighting and co-ordination of all airside services
• User group consultation and provision of content for presentations
• Aircraft pavement thickness design for rigid and flexible pavements
• Apron parking configuration and pavement grading for earthworks optimisation
• Siting constraint analysis

The project site is known for its challenging subgrade conditions and overland drainage capacity issues. The concept design optimised earthworks to minimise overall construction costs whilst achieving an efficient pavement structure that meets the operational flexibility nominated in the user group consultation process. The apron geometric design meets CASA requirements and also assists in re-directing overland flow paths to reduce stormwater flows into existing drainage systems that are already over capacity. During value management multiple options of pavement types and materials were evaluated, costed and evaluated under Whole of Life costing analysis to provide a sound basis for the final pavement design. A similar exercise was undertaken for the airfield lighting design including reviews of LED and filament systems to confirm value for money outcomes.

ACG also provided construction staging advice and early industry consultation with potential suppliers to optimise the design to minimise the opportunity for any surprises during the construction stage of the works.