Beneath Wiradjuri Landfill: Capping Solutions for Safety

The Project

Global Synthetics was entrusted by TCE Contracting to supply geotextile and geomembrane materials for the Wiradjuri Landfill project. Funded by Wagga Wagga City Council, the project focused on enhancing the safety and usability of the former Wiradjuri Landfill area. Construction work was undertaken to place new capping and marker layers on the existing landfill surface, installing new stormwater drainage systems, turf, and irrigation systems, as well as the replacement of the current playground facilities while removing existing trees.

The Challenge

The worksite was located in a residential area with close neighbouring properties, and as a former landfill area, required capping to prevent the spread of contamination and to protect park visitors from coming into contact with potentially hazardous residual materials including gas and metals.

Capping involves placing a cover over contaminated material such as landfill waste or contaminated soil. These covers, known as ‘caps,’ isolate the contaminant material and keep it in place to avoid the spread of contamination.

The Solution

As part of the construction, Global Synthetics supplied a range of geomembrane and geotextile products to provide a reliable and durable worksite solution.

ProFab® High Visibility Marker Layer

ProFab® AS140/Orange nonwoven high visibility (Hi Vis) marker layer geotextiles are comprised of fibres, needled together into a stable matrix, that provide excellent physical and hydraulic properties. The ProFab® Hi Vis Marker Layer was chosen for its additional benefit of high visibility, as the geotextile can warn contractors during future excavations of the contaminated soil beneath.

ACETex® Reinforcement

ACETex® geotextiles are cost-effective polymer-based geotextiles manufactured specifically for the application of soil reinforcement and are used where very high-strength reinforcement of soil is required such as under embankments.

ProLiner® SuperFlex™

ProLiner® SuperFlex™ geomembranes have a generalised use in lining containment structures such as dams, channels, leachate ponds, waste cells and a broad spectrum of waterproofing. SuperFlex™ resin formulation exhibits high flexibility & ductility, also making it suitable for detailed & irregular surfaces. SuperFlex™ is also supple enough to be factory ‘prefabricated’ & folded/rolled onsite in large panels, enabling cost effective transport & rapid deployment.

ProGrid® PP Geogrids

ProGrid® geogrids provide a stiff, high modulus reinforcing layer to allow the construction of roads and other amenities over weak subgrades, by containing and absorbing lateral forces exerted on the reinforcement from applied loads. Benefits of ProGrid® include improving bearing capacity of foundations, preventing cracking and subsiding, and are convenient to construct, reducing cost and maintaining expenses.

The Result

Global Synthetics products were successfully utilised to bury and cap the site’s soil and any residual contaminated materials that could have posed a risk to public health and safety. With consideration of future contractors, Hi Vis geotextiles were responsibly used to warn future construction of the contaminated materials underneath. The former landfill area now boasts fresh turf and a playground for the community.

For more information on this project or to learn more about the products used, please contact our team at gbs@globalsynthetics.com.au.

*Photo credit to TCE Contracting.