Newcastle Waters
An urgent repair of the softener system which left the local community without water during power outages.
Aboriginal Enterprises Australia NT
Services
Plumbing Maintenance and Repair
Overview
Challenge
Delivering this project in a remote community meant overcoming multiple obstacles such as the original design leaving residents without water during power outages and trenching posing risks to existing underground services. Logistically moving large tanks required specialised equipment and likewise transporting oversize loads demanded careful planning and compliance.
What we faced:
Unreliable Systems: The original design left the Newcastle Waters community with no water during power outages, creative reliability issues that impact daily life and essential services.
Respectful Community Engagement: Working in remote communities requires strong stakeholder engagement and cultural awareness to ensure projects align with local expectations and minimise disruption.
Hidden Hazards: Excavating trenches in areas with existing underground services carries the risk of damaging water, power, or communication lines, leading to safety hazards and service disruptions.
Large Tank Logistics: Removing and reinstalling large tanks demands specialised crane equipment, meticulous planning, and strict safety protocols to prevent damage and protect the team throughout the process.
Minimising Disruption to Water Supply: Plumbing works in remote communities must be carefully managed to avoid disrupting the community’s essential water supply.
Managing Risk On The Road: Transporting oversize loads on public roads requires careful planning to ensure safety, comply with regulations, and minimise disruption to traffic and the community.
Solution
We addressed these issues through a combination of smart planning and collaboration like redesigning the system with a backup tank for uninterrupted water supply, using service-locating technology for safe trenching, staging plumbing works to avoid disruptions and coordinating permits, routes, and timing for safe transport of oversize loads.
What we delivered?
Reliable Solutions: We redesigned the system with a large back up tank that provided the community reliable access to water even during power outages.
Partnering With Leaders: We prioritise early consultation, clear communication, and collaboration with community leaders and Traditional Owners. Building trust and ensuring our work delivers long-term benefits for the people we serve.
Safe and Precise Underground Work: We conducted thorough site investigations, use service-locating technology, and employ careful excavation techniques to protect existing infrastructure while completing trenching works safely and efficiently.
Certified Expertise: We deploy certified crane operators with the right equipment, conduct detailed lift planning, and follow rigorous safety protocols to move tanks efficiently while minimising risk on-site.
Careful Planning & Communication: We carefully plan and sequence our works to maintain uninterrupted water access for residents, minimising any impact on daily life. Clear, timely communication ensures the community is always informed of any planned disruptions, reflecting our commitment to transparency and respect for those we serve.
Precision Planning: We coordinate permits, plan optimal routes, schedule transport during low-traffic periods, and use experienced drivers to deliver oversize equipment safely and efficiently.
"Owning a Tennant Creek property and living interstate doesn’t have to be stressful or a concern when you have the right people on your team. We use Irish and the beautiful Sarah from Barkly Plumbing to manage our plumbing maintenance needs and we are extremely satisfied with the results."
Together, with community, government and industry, we’re building the water and gas infrastructure the Northern Territory depends on.
