FACT SHEET | PILING
It’s all part of Council’s plan
The New Farm Riverwalk is one of Brisbane City Council’s key initiatives connecting New Farm to the Brisbane city centre via the Howard Smith Wharves precinct. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by mid-2014, weather permitting.
Features of the new Riverwalk include:
• a fixed, more flood-resilient structure, designed to last for 100 years
• a rotating opening span to allow for the passage of vessels to and from moorings
• a new alignment that will take users further out into the river for the majority of the walkway, to improve the river experience
• a segregated pedestrian and cycle path, 2.5m and 3.5m wide respectively
• shaded rest and viewing areas, rubbish bins and water bubblers at various locations along the walkway.
Piling is a term used to describe the actual construction of the piles or piers that support a bridge or walkway above the water or ground. This generally involves driving or drilling into the ground to provide a strong foundation for the final structure.
The new Riverwalk will be a fixed structure sitting on 37 piles anchored into the riverbed. By anchoring it into the riverbed, Riverwalk will be more resilient in floods and the walkway will have a longer lifespan.
As the riverbed has varying ground conditions along the Riverwalk alignment, two separate piling methods will be required during construction.
This method will involve driving or hammering a steel outer shell into the rock to the required depth, excavating the inner section then pouring concrete into the shell to construct the pile. The majority of Riverwalk ’s piles will be constructed using this method.
This method will involve a steel outer shell being driven into the rock, then screwed to the required depth to achieve a seal. The inner section will then be excavated and concrete will be poured into the shell to construct the pile. Five piles will be constructed using this method.
Riverwalk’s piles will be constructed from a barge positioned on the Brisbane River and passersby will see:

• a crane mounted on the barge that will be used to lift the outer shells and equipment into place
• tug boats and winch lines moving the barge into place and holding it steady
• a piling rig mounted onto a barge that will be used to screw the outer shells into place and drill the piles to the required depth
• a secure floating pipeline that will supply concrete from another barge, also located on the river.
Method 2 is used where the rock does not have any material above it to keep the pile in position and where the rock is also on a slope. Driving an outer shell in this situation without screwing it into the rock will result in the shell slipping down the slope and being out of position.
Typically, there will be two piles constructed per week, weather and construction conditions permitting. This will include driving the outer shell, excavating and pouring the concrete.
Overall, piling works are expected to take approximately nine months to complete.
Works will generally take place from Monday to Saturday between 7am and 5pm.
There may also be some work required out of hours due to the varying tides. Council will keep the community informed of construction timeframes.
Construction noise may be experienced at adjacent properties during these piling activities.
Council will endeavour to keep this disturbance to a minimum where possible.
All waste material excavated as part of the piling works will be removed on to skips positioned on the barge then removed via a service barge. All waste materials will be disposed of at a licensed landfill.
The concrete for the pile will be poured via a secure floating pipeline that will be supported by the service barge. An overflow catchment system will be in place to prevent concrete from entering the river.
Council will ensure the Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan considers all potential impacts to the waterway, and outlines appropriate strategies to ensure these impacts are managed.
You can register to receive regular project updates via email. To register, please contact the project team by phone 1800 010 705 or email Riverwalk@brisbane.qld.gov.au
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If you have any questions or would like more information about the New Farm Riverwalk replacement project you can:
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phone the project team on 1800 010 705
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email Riverwalk@brisbane.qld.gov.au
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visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
and ent er a search for ‘Riverwalk’
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write to: New Farm Riverwalk replacement project, Brisbane City Council, GPO Box 1434,
Brisbane Qld 4001
This project is being delivered under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, a joint Australian and Queensland government initiative with the Australian Government providing
75 per cent of the funds and the Queensland Government providing 25 per cent.