NuGrow’s innovative Hydroganics service is transforming some of Australia’s most extreme construction landscape into native bushland on the $1.6 billion, 41km Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) project in Queensland.
Hydroganics is a topsoil-free erosion control and revegetation solution that combines NuGrow’s high-grade compost with soil ameliorants and seed mixes – tailored to each site – in a single pass application using a specialised truck.
NuGrow has been contracted by HL Landscapes to deliver Hydroganics across all of TSRC’s eastern cut batters, covering almost 50ha along a 16km stretch.
NuGrow’s Manager of Revegetation Services, Ben Brown, said the work is tackling some of the most challenging terrain of any civil project currently in construction in Australia.
The largest roadside batters cover more than 4ha, with 100m-tall faces, at 45° angles, with as many as eight benches (terraces).
“The project’s terrain means traditional revegetation methods aren’t possible for environmental, safety or cost reasons – particularly on the steepest slopes where rock-fall wire netting and erosion control matting is being used,” Ben said.
“Nexus needed real innovation and we’ve successfully treated approximately 12ha already with great results despite high temperatures and multiple extreme weather events.
“We fine-tuned Hydroganics even more for the steepest batters and I’m proud to say it has successfully integrated with the wire netting and matting to connect with the subgrade below and enable sustainable vegetation to grow.”
TSRC’s tailored Hydroganics features three seed mixes with species ranging from native grasses to medium-sized shrubs to small trees – and areas first treated by NuGrow are already germinating.
“Hydroganics is a relatively young service but our team’s experience, the unmatched quality of NuGrow’s compost and our strict trial program have delivered Nexus with a successful, cost- effective, topsoil-free solution,” Ben said.
“We’re privileged to support one of the most high-profile revegetation campaigns Queensland has ever seen as part of the project’s wider team of landscapers, environmental experts, engineers and project managers.
“It’s exciting to see Hydroganics make its mark by literally setting the foundation for a healthy environment long into the future.”
NuGrow’s work started in November 2017 and is due for completion by the end of 2018, with scope for expansion as the infrastructure project continues.