Powell Creek Solar Farm Access Roads

Projects /

Renewables

Civil design supporting access infrastructure for one of Australia's largest proposed renewable energy projects

Project Owner

Suncable

Location

Northern Territory

Completed

2024

Civil IQ delivered the civil engineering design and route assessment for approximately 50 kilometres of proposed access roads servicing the Powell Creek Solar Precinct in the Northern Territory. The project included route selection, pavement design, geotechnical review and hydrological assessment to support long-term access across challenging terrain.

Project Overview

Civil IQ was engaged by SunCable to assess and develop access road designs for four proposed light vehicle route alignments servicing the Powell Creek Solar Precinct in the southern Northern Territory. Covering approximately 50 kilometres, the project required evaluation of multiple alignment options together with the development of practical unsealed pavement designs suited to remote conditions.

The design process considered complex floodways, expansive black clay soils and locally available pavement materials to deliver practical, cost-effective engineering solutions. Civil IQ undertook route assessments, pavement design and technical reviews to support reliable access while minimising construction costs and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Challenges

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Assessing route options through complex floodways and alluvial plains.
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Designing pavements suitable for expansive black clay soils.
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Identifying suitable local borrow pits and pavement material sources.
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Balancing drainage performance with practical construction requirements across remote terrain.

Outcomes

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Developed practical access road alignments across approximately 50 kilometres.
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Produced unsealed pavement designs and technical specifications.
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Identified locally sourced pavement materials in accordance with Austroads guidance.
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Delivered practical, cost-effective engineering solutions supporting future solar farm development.