Department of Environment & Science
Phoenix Onsite Project Manager: Stewart Cowe, Managing Director
In 2017 Phoenix was engaged as the Principal Subcontractor on the Queensland National Parks Raine Island Beach Nourishment Project, an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and returned in 2019 as the Principal Contractor. This project was part of the much larger and extensive Raine Island Recovery Project which aims to protect and restore the island’s critical habitat ensuring the future of key marine species, including green turtles and seabirds.
Raine Island is a remote vegetated coral cay that is 32 hectares in total area and situated on the outer edges of the Great Barrier Reef, approximately 620 km north-northwest of Cairns in Queensland, Australia, about 120 km east-northeast of Cape Grenville, Cape York Peninsula. Raine Island harbours the world’s largest remaining population of green turtles. A significant environmental icon, the island is totally protected from public access due to the eco sensitive and bio-security nature.
In both 2017 and 2019, Phoenix delivered earth moving services to transport sand on the island to re-profile the beach for improved Green Turtle nesting areas.
There were a number of key factors Phoenix needed to overcome to access the Island and deliver the works
Including:
- After being awarded the contract, Phoenix collaborated with the Project Manager, Board and Traditional Elders in reducing the overall cost of the project. It was recommended by Phoenix that some of the machinery they considered not necessary be removed thus reducing costs considerably enabling the funds to be used elsewhere in the project. Phoenix also recommended substitution of machinery which was more environmentally friendly and economical.
- All equipment and machinery needed to be barged to and moved onto the Island with significant environmental planning and consideration. Machinery included an excavator, Skid steer, Marooka’s (track dumpers), double bunded fuel pods, containers, all necessary tools and spare parts.
- Due to the significant environmental nature of Raine Island, which is regarded as one of the cleanest Islands in the GBR, bio security requirements were very stringent. All machinery had to have strict weed and seed clean, removal of soil, bacterial treatment and fumigation for pests.
- Human resources (4 people) were transported by boat (Reef Ranger) which also housed all staff overnight during the 13 day term of the project to minimise environmental impacts on the Island. Our four staff and 12 Department employees stayed in confined quarters with all personnel required to live harmoniously and collaboratively for the entire duration. We shared cooking, cleaning and general household duties amongst the group. This required considerable team work and the ability to get along with each other.
- Fuel tanks required double bunding to mitigate the risk of fuel spillage and environmental contamination
- Short timeframes – Phoenix was required to move 13000m3 of sand in 10 days.
- For the first time ever, Traditional Owners had to give their approval for DES and Phoenix staff to visit the island. Phoenix staff attended a meeting with the Elders prior to gain an understanding of the environmental and cultural heritage concerns and aspects of the Island requiring respect and mindfulness.
