OEMG’s IDGM was effectively integrated into the design process for the Port of Eden. The Aquares system discovered complex, vertical geological structures that other geophysical systems failed to visualise. After peer review, just 15 boreholes were required to validate the geophysical model. The IDGM created was then able to reduce estimated project piling costs by $1million by designing structures to favourable geologies. In addition, $3 million in potential dredging overruns were identified, compared to what was forecast with previously available data. The IDGM allowed redesign of dredge areas in order to avoid these overruns, allowing for an additional $3 million savings in project costs. Thus, the IDGM process proved to be cost effective, significantly reduced risk and improved the design process.

Including the IDGM early in the design process, allowed significant prevention of environmental harm, by ensuring the creation of a design that was favourable to the geological and environmental setting.

Project status update 2018

Dredging for the project has been completed on-time, budget and quantity with actual geology confirmed to align with the IDGM model. In addition, cost saving estimates attributed to the IDGM model have been revised upwards in the order of well over 5 million dollars.

Project Awards

OEMG has been awarded the following accolades for our work on this project:

2015: NSW State Innovation Award, NSW Business Chamber

2018: Supporter, Working with Nature, PIANC (The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure)

Australian Coast and Ports Conference Presentation 2015

For more information see “Errey J, Dooley A. Brabers P, 2015. Combining Historical Geotechnical and Geophysical Data with Recent Aquares Geophysical Survey Data into a GIS Framework for the Eden Port Development. Australian Coast and Ports Conference 2015, Auckland, New Zealand” or  CLICK HERE