Epworth Place Extension

Road construction for Deakin University'sDesign & Technology Precinct at Waurn Ponds.

Scope

Keystone Civil delivered a 12-month road construction project for Deakin University’s new Design & Technology Precinct at Waurn Ponds. The 1.8 km two-lane road featured full-depth asphalt pavement, extensive drainage works, street lighting, and a water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) basin to manage stormwater. The project also included a comprehensive landscaping package to support environmental regeneration. Works began with 100,000m² of earthworks for subgrade preparation, followed by the construction of 1.1 km of road. Drainage involved 1.3 km of RCP (300–600 mm) and 2 km of subsoil drains, with deep trenching to 5 m over a 100 m stretch. Safety was prioritised using GPS excavators and ground-level pipe welding, with an excavator-mounted DPU for backfill compaction to reduce ground personnel.

Street lighting was installed to VEDN standards, and the use of Reconophalt—an innovative recycled material—demonstrated Keystone’s commitment to sustainability. The project also carefully maintained access to the adjacent Epworth Hospital throughout construction. Final works included kerb and channel construction, a shared user path, and the completed WSUD basin.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Safety measures included GPS excavators, ground-level pipe welding and an excavator-mounted DPU for backfill compaction to reduce personnel exposure. Street lighting was installed to VEDN standards and landscaping supported environmental regeneration.

Innovative Thinking

Committed to sustainability, Keystone Civil used recycled asphalt in this project. Reconophalt, a byproduct of printer cartridges from Deakin University, was produced by an Australian manufacturer and installed in the road pavement. Keystone’s use of GPS machine technology facilitated innovative and safer methodologies, reducing the need for labourers and operators on the ground around deep trenches. This approach not only enhanced safety but also improved efficiency in the construction process.