Arc Infrastructure is proud of the recently completed works on Strawberry Bridge which crosses the Irwin River near Mingenew. The works required significant engagement with the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation, as they took place on a registered heritage site.
While most projects involving potentially disturbing activities at registered heritage sites generally require Heritage Monitors at the start and end of construction activities, the nature of work undertaken on Strawberry Bridge meant they were required onsite every day.
All attending Heritage Monitors were required to complete rail corridor induction training, which presented a logistical challenge. Arc’s Aboriginal Heritage Advisor engaged with Arc’s Training team to create an innovative solution that saw the training module installed onto iPads that could be taken into the regions and delivered in-person.
The agile and flexible approach led to positive outcomes for the Heritage Monitors and enabled 17 people to be certified.
Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation’s Heritage Coordinator Chris Gordon said they were pleased to be involved from the inception and initial survey of the site through to the presence of the Heritage Consultants onsite.
“Importantly the feedback from the team is that they have felt respected when on site with their views being considered valid.
“The ability of the Arc team to connect and understand the issues at hand and work with Yamatji Southern and the Heritage Consultants to see the issue to conclusion has been noted by the group and remains very much appreciated,” Chris said.
Arc’s General Manager Works Delivery Dan Ellis and Aboriginal Engagement Initiative Lead said he was pleased with the project outcomes and the innovative solutions to the project challenges.
“This has been a positive relationship building process with the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC), who we partnered with on this scope of work,” Dan said.
“We were delighted to receive some positive feedback from the representatives at YSRC, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen that relationship and using this approach as a framework to follow for future heritage works.
“We continue to look for ways to foster Reconciliation, as outlined in our first Reconciliation Action Plan which was launched last year.”
Works on Strawberry Bridge were required due to the significant flows the Irwin River experiences during cyclone events or heavy rainfall upstream, which can cause washaways and lead to bridge stability issues, meaning protection measures for the abutments, piers and embankments needed to be implemented.
The works involved installing rock armour along the riverbanks and around the abutments to stabilise the embankment and the bridge’s foundation. All works were completed while rail traffic was running at line speed with all necessary rail safety and risk mitigations in place.
Arc would like to acknowledge the Yamatji people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we worked to complete this project.
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