Wategos Beach Boardwalk

Wategos Beach, Byron Bay...

Is there a more beautiful place to relax and unwind?

We were lucky enough to be involved in the recent Watego's boardwalk project that connected the path to the bottom of the famous Byron Lighthouse stairs so pedestrians can walk safely along the road.

APP undertook the design concepts and detailed design for Byron Shire Council and NPWS.

We also completed the geotechnical investigations and construction supervision.

APP investigated a range of surfaces and materials and adopted the FRP deck and substructure for durability, and the timber handrail to match existing NPWS arrangements, and to provide a pleasing finish and leaning rail.

Have you walked it yet?

University Centre for Rural Health

ProjectUniversity for Rural Health

The University Centre for Rural Health North Coast is a multidisciplinary state of the art facility, providing education and accommodation of students undergoing clinical practice and research in rural health. The centre features clinical simulation training, clinical skills labs, video conferencing and educational teaching facilities.

The Brief:

The client came to us wanting a comprehensive Civil and Structural engineering design and supervisory service, to develop Structural and Civil systems for the steeply sloping site in Lismore.

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project was the steeply sloping site, monumental masonry finishes and presentation to the main street.

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges by detailed foundation and jointing designs to address thermal and foundation movement problems.

Key Features:
The key features to mention is the large masonry wall presentation to the main street, and foundation articulation to accommodate the steeply sloped site.

APP's Role:
Ardill Payne & Partners were responsible for the Civil and Structural engineering for the development of the facility.

Time Frame:
The project was completed in 12 months.

Budget:
The budget for the project was $4.2m.

University Centre for Rural Health

Top House

Congratulations to the team at MRH Build for their award-winning project, "Top House". APP are very proud to have collaborated on this project.

The stunning residence won its Contract Houses category at the recent Northern Regions' Master Builder Awards, and you can see why when you browse the photographs!

Ardill Payne & Partners provided Engineering and Design Management Services to the builders.

We are always looking for detailed prestige home projects to provide our services for, to help the entire building process along smoothly.


 

To see more APP building projects, you can view our structural engineering capability statement here.

 

We’re a Key National Player in Alternative Energy

With the ongoing discussions regarding Global Warming, one solution is to replace and retrofit current technologies with alternatives that have comparable or better performance, but do not emit carbon dioxide.

Ardill Payne and Partners (APP) is proud to be an Australian-wide player in the Alternate Energy revolution.

“Climate change, population growth, and fossil fuel depletion mean that renewables will need to play a bigger role in the future than they do today,” said Bill Payne, Principal at APP.

At Ardill Payne & Partners, our Alternative Energy Projects involve providing engineering, project management and surveying solutions to wind farms, solar powered factories, housing estates, luxury homes and offices. In addition, we facilitate the incorporation of recycled materials into our projects wherever possible.

APP has worked on over 40 wind farms Australia wide and continue to be a key player in the field nationally. Our work involves the design of wind monitoring masts which record the wind data for a prospective site for 2 years.

“The masts collect wind information to assess how much wind energy can be won from a site. Based on this assessment the farm may or may not proceed,” said Bill.

In solar, we find that our ‘turnkey factory’ projects now usually require or request solar energy capacity. This is driven by a range of factors including the cost of power, green policies by factory franchises and personal green preferences.

Some APP solar projects include Habitat Byron Bay, and the environmentally-conscious Bridgestone “green truck centers” located in the Barossa, Hume and Port Hedland.

“As well as powering the Bridgestone sites, the solar panel array feeds energy back into the grid when the store is closed, and has a digital display in the waiting room showing kWh generation and carbon-dioxide emission reductions,” said Bill.

APP’s recycling projects range from water harvesting and recycled water systems to materials re-use.

“Our water recycling projects involve engineering, water engineering, town planning and project management for the Ballina Heights Estate, The Habitat Byron Bay, and the Bridgestone Truck Centers in the Barossa, Hume and Port Hedland,” said Bill.

“Material re-use projects involve using recycled rubber compounds for flooring systems as in the Bridgestone Truck Centers, recycled timber for housing projects such as our Coolamon Scenic Drive luxury home project, and recycled concrete for pavement construction in road construction throughout the Ballina Heights Estate.”

If you need engineering, planning, surveying or project management services for your next green project, you can contact us here at Ardill Payne & Partners on 02 6686 3280.

APP showcases capabilities through a new art piece

For the past year, our team at Ardill Payne & Partners has been creating a piece of customised art to grace the long hallway wall opposite our main meeting room.

The vision for the custom piece was to capture the full spectrum of services that APP offer, showcasing projects that not only are we very proud of, and that have been photographed beautifully, but that also create discussions­—we like to think of it as "talking point art”.

The panels went through design, concept and re-design many times before reaching the final concept which was ultimately chosen for the wall.

The six panels, all varying heights, span over 3 meters in total width and 1.6 meters in height and represent all of our business sectors; Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Town Planning, Surveying, Environmental, Project Management, Master Planning, Water Engineering, Alternative Energy and Marine Structures.

We hope that the artworks present the viewer with a true sense of our firm, opening up conversations to our capabilities, and capturing what we have been and are able to achieve with such a wide diversification of disciplines under the one roof.

If you are in Ballina, please feel free to drop by and have a look at the new wall art. We’d love to show you! We are at 45 River Street.

The APP Team.

Transformation of our Local Pools

On Saturday July 28th the new and improved Ballina Memorial Pool and Alstonville Aquatic Centre officially opened with fun giveaways, squad and swimming lesson demonstrations plus an aqua aerobic class and a sausage sizzle.

Both renovations were in the vicinity of $15.5 million. For Ballina, a new amenities building, a children’s wet play splash area, an undercover barbecue area and transparent fencing along the Richmond River with access ramps into all pools were some of the improvements made.  

In both locations the 50 metre pools have been retained with eight 2.5m wide lanes for competition swimming and water polo, along with a 25m heated enclosed pool with six lanes which can be used for swimming lessons, children play, lap swimming and rehabilitation. There are access ramps into all pools, a wet play splash area for children, covered tiered seating for 300 people, a cafeteria and dining area as well as brand new BBQ facilities and shelters.

Ardill Payne & Partners were engaged by Woollam Constructions to undertake structural design and documentation for both pool upgrades.

The upgrades included were the foundation and slab layouts, piling layout and loads, wall bracing layouts and roof tie down details for the new amenities and administration building at the Ballina site.

Alstonville pool received the following upgrades; Primary structural steel framing, connection details and foundations for the Learn to Swim Roof Systems, foundation and slab details, wall bracing layout and details and roof tie down details for the new pool equipment building which included foundations and concrete details for new disable access ramps and retailing walls. APP also undertook civil design and documentation for site gradings, concrete pathway layouts and details, certification of works, site inspections and RFIs.

Balmain Police Marina

ProjectBalmain Police Marina

The Sydney Water Police Marine Area Command base at Balmain is a floating concrete marina with all facilities, where police vessels and personnel are strategically located to oversee maritime law enforcement and the coordination and control of marine search and rescue.

The Brief:
The client came to us wanting a bespoke floating marina capable of berthing a range of commercial sized Police Vessels (2 tonnes to 300 tonnes) as well as providing wave attenuation capacity and pedestrian access for emergency and conventional use.

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project were different berthing requirements and building a wave attenuation capacity into the conventional pontoon arrangements.

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges with provision of an external deep drafted pontoon system widened to attenuate the incident ferry wash waves which were the principal design waves. Piles and pontoons were sized to suit the berthing locations for the different sized vessels.

Key Features:
The key features/points of difference to mention of the project are:

  • The widened pontoon as wave attenuator
  • Berthing load analysis for different vessels
  • Low maintenance demand for essential services infrastructure

APP's Role:
Ardill Payne & Partners were responsible for the Structural Design and Certification of the Marina.

Timeframe
The project took 7 months to complete.

Budget
The budget for the project was $1.5million.

Balmain Police Marina

Ballina Men’s Shed seeks funding & assistance to bring dream to life

Men’s Sheds are a place that men can go to overcome social isolation that can lead to depression and ill health. For over eight years, a group of dedicated men have been working towards building a men’s shed in Ballina.

Graham Eggins of the Ballin, a Men’s Shed Committee said that the shed movement has really taken off in Australia and that to bring the Ballina Shed dream to reality they still need to raise $40,000 locally.

“There are now over 1000 sheds nationwide,” said Graham. “We want to start the Ballina build in August and to do this we need to raise some more local funds, as well as see some donations of trade services.”

The team has also applied for several grants which they hope will be successful.

“The Sheds are about health and wellbeing for men, who are less likely than women to seek help from a Doctor or psychologist when they don’t feel well,” said Graham.

“It’s also a great place for men to go and connect after they’ve retired and want something engaging and interesting to do. Men can go to this space and share inventions, collaborate on projects, build things, and also attend health talks.”

In early 2015 the committee obtained the development consent for the construction of a shed at Fishery Creek Road, Ballina. But for a number of reasons that project did not go ahead.

They didn’t give up. In early 2017, Graham approached Dwayne Roberts, Associate Town Planner at Ballina firm Ardill Payne & Partners, about the planning feasibility of obtaining development consent for a shed at the Ballina Racecourse.

“Ardill Payne & Partners are a great example of a company that has donated their time and services to the project,” said Graham. “APP were proud to undertake the preparation of the development application free of charge, and have also connected us to other valuable services.”

On the 31 st of October 2017 Ardill Payne & Partners submitted the Development Application (DA) to Ballina Shire Council, and it was approved on the 2 nd February 2018.

“Dwayne has been in constant contact with me since February and has been assisting with the preparation of a construction certificate which is required to be obtained prior to works commencing on site,” said Graham.

“If any individuals or companies can help out with services like building, plumbing, electrical, or donations, it would really help ensure the build starts on time,” said Graham.

To donate funds or your time and expertise, please contact Graham Eggins from the Ballina Men’s Shed on 0416 004 013.

Builder Design Management

Helping builders with our new service model

Ardill Payne &
Partners (APP) has been providing Engineering, Town Planning and Surveying services for over 35 years, and now we are changing our Structural Engineering model to help make life easier for local builders.

Bill Payne, our Principal at APP said that he’s seen many changes in the industry over the years. “Building practices have evolved, and so must our services,” said Bill. “We’re sure that builders are aware of the changes needed too, so we’ve updated our model to offer builders fluid Structural Engineering that will fully support their realistic, on-the-ground requirements.”

APP has added Design Management to our normal Civil and Structural services and has applied it throughout the entire building process. “We’ve developed this service from our project management role on infrastructure and land development projects,” said Bill.

The changes mean that APP can be with the builder every step of the way, to help coordinate and manage design and project delivery. “We’ll provide a range of services to suit the particular needs of a job,” said Bill. “This can range from detailed design auditing to just being on the phone when you need us.”

“We don’t take on more work than we can service. It’s the best way to help people and keep all services accountable, and the project on track.”

Having been in the business for so long and having been involved in some of the region’s most prestigious and technically- challenging projects, Ardill Payne & Partners is confident that our updated engineering model of service will be time-saving, stress- relieving and provide builders with the confidence in knowing that a project is being managed correctly from start to completion.

Ardill Payne & Partners’ experience encompasses all aspects of structural engineering. This includes; commercial and retail design, prestige homes, schools, aged care facilities, multi-storey residential, masts and towers, bridges and maritime, community facilities and more.

“I welcome and look forward to meeting with builders to discuss how we can help streamline your building processes,” said Bill. “APP are changing with the times, and I am excited to show you how our engineering team can be of great benefit to you and your business.”

To get in touch with the team here at APP, call 02 6686 3280.

Elements of Byron

ProjectElements of Byron

Elements of Byron Resort & Spa is a five-star, eco-conscious resort featuring 103 villas dotted amidst 22 hectares of absolute beachfront paradise. The leisure and conference facilities are nestled in three separate pavilions which mimic the sand dunes framing the resort.

The Brief
The client came to us needing Civil and Environmental Engineering solutions for large tourist development in a very sensitive coastal environment.

Key Challenges
The key challenges we could see for this project were flood prone site with high water table. Flood planning levels and urban runoff issues required a well communicated response to flooding and water sensitive urban design solutions.

APP’s Role
Ardill Payne & Partners undertook the Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering aspects of the project. 

Timeframe
The project was completed in the timeframe 2013 to 2017. 

Budget
The budget for the project was $75m.

Solutions
We overcame these challenges by working closely with Council and the Architect to develop flood sympathetic solutions and a passive storm water treatment train for water quality control.

Key Features

  • Five Star Eco-Conscious resort
  • 103 Villas
  • Leisure & Conference facilities
  • Enormous Infinity Edge Lagoon Pool
  • 65,000 native trees planted
  • Ongoing water and soil monitoring
  • Environmental standards maintained

Element of Byron Project Gallery