One of the key challenges on this project was inspecting two parallel stormwater pipelines while capturing high-resolution footage and producing a detailed map with georeferencing. Our Elios 3 drone proved to be the right tool for the job. Equipped with a 4K camera and LiDAR, it allowed us to collect sharp, detailed visuals even in low-light conditions, ensuring nothing was missed.

Another major challenge was the length of the pipeline. At 300 metres long and large in diameter, inspecting it with traditional CCTV and water jetting methods would have been time-consuming and inefficient. By using the drone, we eliminated the need for confined space entry and avoided potentially spending days jetting the line.

The Elios 3 provided a faster, safer and more cost-effective solution for completing the inspection, while still delivering high-quality results for our client.

For one of the first times in New Zealand, we have generated a Wincan report from Elios 3 flight data. By utilising its advanced features and the latest software updates through Flyability Cloud, we have enhanced our service delivery.

The feedback from our client has been very positive, as they were pleased to receive the report, which provided extensive and detailed insights to support their decision-making process.

During the demolition process, it was discovered all steel within the building had been coated with a primer containing lead during the initial construction in the mid 1960’s. This significantly impacted on the construction programme and extended the scope of works to include the encapsulation, extraction and urgent removal of lead affected areas. The work was further complicated and delayed by the Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown enforced in Auckland in August 2021.

Management and removal of the lead primer became a very expensive and drawn-out process, with the implementation of lead contamination protocols such as capturing all airborne contaminants from the manual scraping and removal of the affected primer and the requirement for decontamination showers, PPE and additional manpower for the manual removal method initially adopted.

The Level 4 lockdown in August 2021 put a halt to all works on site. Once Auckland was moved to Alert Level 3, contractors were allowed back on site but working under strict Covid-19 safety protocols with restrictions on the number of contractors able to be on site at any given time, and additional PPE and precautionary protocols put in place and stringently adhered to.

InterGroup investigated and offered an alternate removal process to assist the client in mitigating the cost and time impact to the project of continuing the manual lead primer removal process. We introduced the use of a revolutionary paint removal system specifically formulated product designed to remove multiple layers of paint in one application. The product was applied to the steel components, encapsulating, lifting, and removing the lead primer. The use of this system meant a reduction in the level of management required to remove contaminants, providing cost and time efficiencies for the client by reducing the labour requirement and encapsulation costs.

Despite the delays to the overall programme caused by the lead primer, InterGroup completed our scope of work on time and to budget maintaining a strong health, safety, quality and environmental focus.

InterGroup is constructing an industry-leading resource recovery facility at our Stonedon premise. The technology we have incorporated is world-leading, and a first for New Zealand, with:

• A dedicated tipping station to ensure maximum dewatering and processing of slurried waste materials. This will produce clean reusable sand, aggregate, and water products.
• A water cleaning and treatment system which allows up to 90% of process water to be recycled and immediately re-used within the plant.
• A scrubbing and filtration system that carries out pre-screening, scrubbing, organics removal, sizing, stockpiling, fines recovery and filtrates removal; and
• A two-stage separation and classification system which includes high-pressure washing to effectively remove contaminants and provide the highest possible quality of final products.

For us, and our customers, this will result in enhanced recycling outcomes and an impactful contribution to achieving waste reduction targets.

• Partnering with CDE means our facility benefits from the guidance, technology and innovation of global leaders in materials wet processing. CDE has refined their knowledge and products over 30 years in business and delivered over 2000 waste processing projects worldwide.
• As NZ’s leading wet processing plant it will provide the opportunity to reuse material avoiding disposal to fill facilities.
• The ability to reuse materials in infrastructure activities will contribute to greener construction.
• Will support enhanced environmental outcomes with tangible reductions to align with our customer’s environmental targets and support industry wide targets.

This facility is more than just a dewatering plant. It is a comprehensive solution which will clean and process solids – transforming them into high-quality aggregate and sand. These outputs can then be reused on projects.

Employing the most innovative technology on the market, supplied by CDE – global leaders in wet processing solutions for waste recycling and mineral processing – this facility will support maximum retrieval and reuse, and will ensure InterGroup’s new waste processing facility sets the standard in the New Zealand market.