Draintech Solutions has carved a strong reputation in trenchless delivery, specialising in innovative underground pipe remediation. Its latest project on a major Sydney road corridor showcases the team’s depth of experience and the trust it holds with asset owners across Australia.
Draintech Solutions was engaged by Transport for NSW to rehabilitate twin-cell stormwater culverts beneath a key route in Western Sydney. Located in a gully and buried under significant cover, the assets remained serviceable but required proactive remediation to secure long-term performance and a 100-year technical service life. The works formed part of broader upgrades on The Northern Road, a government project improving infrastructure across the region.
From day one, Draintech Solutions led a methodical site plan.
“We commenced with civil works to open up safe access to both portals, with pedestrian tracks, dedicated vehicle routes and temporary stairs established to protect crews,” said Mathew Mather, Director at Draintech Solutions.
An important part of the project planning involved inspecting the culvert to ensure no bat colonies were present. An ecologist was engaged to undertake the inspection and confirm the absence of bats prior to commencing works. To prevent the possibility of future colonisation during the construction period, bat flaps were installed, and weekly inspections were carried out to monitor and maintain compliance with environmental safeguards.
Methodology was adjusted to protect the adjacent woodland, preserving root zones and limiting the site footprint. Flow from the upstream catchment was controlled through pre-cleaning and staging so lining could proceed without compromising water management or environmental values.
Design workshops with the Draintech Solutions engineering team refined the plan for two 146-metre cells -DN1460 and DN1495 - balancing structural assurance with a safe, efficient installation window. For the lining scope, the specification called for SAERTEX-LINER® MULTI Type S+ Standard from SAERTEX multiCom®, a glass-fibre reinforced, UV-cured CIPP liner selected for structural integrity, durability and long-term performance in stormwater service.
To meet program certainty on large-diameter installations, Draintech Solutions utilised the Rausch Rehab RRcure 1500 UV curing platform, supplied and supported locally by Pipe Core. The RRcure 1500 was selected for its consistent, controllable output and ability to significantly reduce curing times on long, large bore runs. Curing operations were carried out using a dedicated relining rig equipped for this platform, with the process closely monitored to ensure precision and quality throughout installation.
Pipe Core also coordinated with SAERTEX multiCom to provide on-site technical assurance, with an Application Engineer from SAERTEX multiCom attending to strengthen QA and support knowledge transfer between crews.
The project benefited from Draintech Solutions’ SAERTEX Certified Installer Training in gravity and pressure systems, coordinated through Pipe Core, and from lessons learned on an innovative DN300 pressurised sewer upgrade using SAERTEX-LINER®, where a pressure liner was installed to extend service life and improve water security and reliability. The crew also drew on extensive Tier One and Transport for NSW experience.
Logistics were carefully choreographed.
“We had a 300-tonne crane negotiate a steep embankment to position materials, including the gliding foil, SAERTEX-LINER®, SAERTEX-PACKER® and the UV light train,” said Mather.
With semi-trailers limited to 24-tonne loads, the liner was split into two 40-foot containers, including 14-tonne liner boxes, and staged precisely at the portals. Every movement advanced the program without escalating surface impacts.
Safety remained non-negotiable throughout the install.
“We clearly marked crew routes and exclusion zones, kept snake kits on hand, controlled traffic interfaces and maintained disciplined communications.”
Months of pre-planning paid off when the installation phase finished in five days.
“We were also aided by favourable weather and a workflow that left little to chance,” said Mather.
The project delivered exactly what it set out to achieve, a disciplined plan executed safely, high-quality materials paired with proven curing technology, careful environmental management and true collaboration.
Led by Draintech Solutions on site, supported by technical expertise from SAERTEX multiCom® and Pipe Core as distributor, the team rehabilitated two critical assets with minimal surface impact.
"The result is long-term serviceability for Transport for NSW, underpinned by calibration and curing data logs, and a liner system with a technical service life of 100-years," Mather said.
