The Western Australian Trenchless Technology sector showed signs of slowing down from previous strong activity in 2012, mainly due to the expected completion of the
construction phases within the resources sector.
Some projects involving larger directional drilling rigs were again completed in the North West of Western Australia for various oil and gas projects under construction, but many of these are now nearing completion.
Projects on Barrow Island in particular were recognised for their quality and competence.
The Water Corporation of Western Australia continued its programs, which affected works that allow for Trenchless Technology.
The Infill Sewerage Program remained steady in 2013 in comparison to 2012, and many microtunnelling lines were being completed as part of those works.
The Water Corporation continued its sewer rehabilitation program for a panel of relining contractors.
Again, works issued under that program were of a similar spend to the previous year on projects that include works for trenchless operators.
Western Power, the state power utility, has continued its significant underground power program, which has been in place for over a decade now.
This is a program that converts areas of overhead power wires and poles to underground power.
About 98 per cent of these works are done by directional drilling, which minimises the impacts on residents and businesses of the areas.
Approximately $AU40 million per year is contributed towards works on the program and Western Power and the State and local governments share these costs.
This represents in excess of 5,000 properties converted per year under this program inclusive of 2013.
About 54 per cent of the Perth metropolitan area is now serviced underground.
The use of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) to rehabilitate pipes in several of Perth’s local government councils, who are rehabilitating drainage pipes, remained steady during the year – in-line with previous years.
In addition, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder completed works in an ongoing program of sewer rehabilitation.
The use of directional drilling for the installation of communications was steady throughout the year, although this still remains a very competitive market with many smaller contractors.
The expected increase in potential projects attached to the NBN planned works in Western Australia was slow and involved less trenchless works than first thought due
to suspect procurement policy attached to the roll-out of this program.
This will evolve more in 2014 with the change of Federal government.
Trenchless works in 2014 are again expected to remain steady in comparison to 2013.