Salt Water Solution For the Warehouse

Project Name     ‘The Warehouse’ Queensland Distribution Centre
Location              Port of Brisbane
Client                  The Warehouse Group
Civil Engineer     Whybird & Partners
Civil Contractor  Shadforth Civil Engineering Contractors Pty Ltd
Project Cost       $30m
Completed          September 2003

James Hardie Products Used
Over 1.5km Class 2, 3 and 4 FRC™ standard rubber ring jointed pipe, and four Q-Guard™ stormwater treatment devices.

The completion of the $30million high-tech distribution centre at the Port of Brisbane, represents the second stage of a major project to deliver significant operational and supply chain improvements to the discount retail chain. The new distribution centre is approximately 50,000 square metres in size, with a further 30,000 square metres set aside for future development. The centre supports approximately 70% of the total Australian business, receiving over 1,000 pallets a day during peak times.

While the close proximity to the water enables easy access to sea freight, the location meant salt water resistance was a consideration for construction materials. Whybird & Partners specified FRC™ pipe for this project due to its combined high performance in these salt water conditions, and the impressive construction load strength it provides.

The warehouse development also called for four stormwater treatment units to be installed. A combination of James Hardie Q-Guard™ units were selected to collect and treat the anticipated flow rates to meet the project requirements.

‘Because of the environmentally sensitive nature of the estuarine receiving waters, Q-Guard™ in-line treatment devices were installed on all major stormwater lines drainage external pavements. The Q-Guard™ units provided an economical solution, high treatment capacity and ease of installation in the high water table/sandy soil conditions.’
Peter Ide, Design Engineer, Whybird & Partners.