Working with the Queensland Government in flood recovery
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The flood crisis that affected about 75 per cent of Queensland earlier this year presented many challenges in the clean-up and recovery phase.
Transpacific was at the coalface of this disaster and worked closely with rescue services and all levels of government to assist in a coordinated response.
The clean-up and recovery of waterways along the Brisbane River was a priority for the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).
DERM worked closely with Brisbane City Council, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Queensland Health to prioritise waterway clean-up activities around areas where industrial facilities were inundated by floodwater.
Former Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said work on Oxley Creek, Stable Swamp Creek and Rocky Waterholes Creek had been a priority.
"An incredible amount of material from the local waterways, businesses, houses and properties had been washed downstream by the powerful rush of flood water.
"DERM engaged specialist waste management company Transpacific Industries to recover chemical containers, check for contaminants and arrange appropriate disposal of materials,” Ms Jones said.
Transpacific Site Manager Ryan Burke said Transpacific quickly deployed a large amount of equipment and staff from business units all over the country.
“The Incident and Project Team inspected the Brisbane and Oxley Creek areas in conjunction with government and emergency service personnel.
“Planning took place from the office so as soon as calls were received, we worked in conjunction with teams on the ground to scope out the recovery scenarios,” Ryan said.
He said there were a number of difficulties which had to be taken into account including floating debris, tidal movements moving items, high bacteria and unknown biological hazards, drums and other items with damaged labels, making identification harder, and the retrieval of unusual-shaped large tanks and equipment from river banks.
The retrieval was further hampered by dense and waterlogged river banks and mangroves, and problems of vehicle access to river bank areas during rainy periods.
The clean-up involved logging, mapping and stocktaking recovered waste and items, and finding appropriate local Transpacific facilities to treat and handle waste.
Ryan said Transpacific used a large range of equipment from business units all over the country.
“The project team invested in some key pieces of equipment to suit the environment such as All Terrain Vehicles/Buggies, boats and aquatic recovery gear, and mobile homes for offices.
“We used specialised waste storage drums and bins, specialised GPS and data logging details for recovered items, HAZMAT response gear and trained personnel, and set up a custom-made decontamination area for waste and equipment.
“We also prepared web-based reports and live map viewing for the public and DERM.
“Through it all we liaised closely with the community, authorities and other companies working on the recovery within Brisbane,” Ryan said.
Ryan said the data logging, GPS and web-based systems Transpacific used ensured items were identified, recovered and accounted for, and the clean-up was complete within three months.
More than 3000 items were recovered from the creek and surrounding environment, including pallets of paint tins, fridges, tyres, fuel trailers, pontoons, hazardous chemicals in drums, portaloos, cool rooms and food.
Ryan said regular inspections by the regulatory authorities since the clean-up had reported positive results.