Design Services Consultant - Airfield Upgrade and Shop Design

Airfield - The community airfield features an unsealed surface, characterised by low pavement strength, insufficient drainage, and several minor shortcomings. The northern section of the runway is prone to flooding, which reduces its usable length by at least 500 meters. Additionally, the lighting is inadequate, restricting runway operations to daylight hours only. Consequently, the airfield cannot be used during or immediately after rainfall, and past flooding of the Fitzroy River has further hindered its use. This situation adversely affects casualty evacuations, essential deliveries such as food and medical supplies, and routine travel. The proposed scope includes upgrading the airfield to facilitate all-weather access at any time of day or night, along with enhancements to the surrounding airfield area.

The runway is expected to undergo widening and lengthening, accompanied by enhanced drainage systems. Crucially, it will be elevated to ensure it is above flood levels. A key aspect of this upgrade is to preserve the capability for landing Royal Flying Doctors Service aircraft, as well as potentially accommodating military fixed-wing aircraft for humanitarian assistance. Notably, the runway will not need CASA certification but will meet the minimum length and width stipulated by 19 CE Wks on behalf of the client and Army in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) 19 Regulation

To meet the military physical requirement, the airfield needs to be designed in accordance with CASR part 139, Code 3D. This requirement will be reviewed at the 30% design stage once indicative costs for the whole project are known. Key to this decision is the ability to use the community quarry at no cost to the project against importing from a commercial quarry. The minimum length and width will be stipulated by 19 CE Wks on behalf of the Client.

Community Shop - The Yungngora Community shop is currently managed by Outback Stores on behalf of the Noonkanbah Aboriginal Corporation (NAC). However, it lacks the necessary capacity to adequately address the food security requirements of the Community and is unable to adequately serve the smaller neighbouring communities in wet season. Establishing a new shop will provide the needed capacity for Community supply during the wet season and enhance its overall functionality. The design must take into account the potential for flooding at the chosen site and incorporate measures to mitigate this risk.

Geotechnical Testing. The Consultant is to conduct all geotechnical testing required to complete designs. Additionally, the Consultant is required to provide the following results in a report as soon as practicable to inform the Contract Administrators cost estimations:

• Aggregate sampling and testing of quarry material to sufficiently inform suitability as an engineered material in construction of airfield pavement layer.
• Water source testing for construction quality assurance purposes prior to incorporating them into concrete and earthworks.