Emergency Access & Fire Trail, Blue Mountains

Barker Ryan Stewart was engaged by Hawkesbury City Council for the provision of civil engineering, surveying, and town planning services associated with the upgrade of the dilapidated track along Mt Irvine and Bowen Creek Road in the Blue Mountains.

The project involved significant survey and geotechnical work, in a somewhat challenging bushland location. It also included the provision of a concept bridge and fire trail design for the upgrade of the dilapidated track.

The existing Mt Irvine and Bowen Road track was once a public road however it was decommissioned because it had dilapidated significantly and become a safety risk. A couple of sections of the track had even collapsed into the valley as a result of land slip.

Should Hawkesbury City Council proceed to the construction stage, the trail will provide safe access for all emergency services through the area. The Mt Irvine and Bowen Road track is to be used by emergency services only and would not be open to residents.

The full scope of services provided include:

• Assessment of route as fire trial
• Concept drainage design
• Environment assessment and Review of Environmental Factors
• Concept design of track upgrade to a fire trial standard
• Modelling, analysis, and design of land slip slides
• Bridge assessment
• List of remedial works
• Concept bridge design
• Design of new bridge structure (including Bill of Quantities)
• Heritage assessment and report
• Detail survey and mapping of road reserve