Council’s pipe inspection program goes digital

Despite being below ground and out of sight, Noosa’s estimated 250-kilometre stormwater pipe network is by no means out of mind for Council’s Asset Management team. 

“In fact, it’s one of the biggest public assets Council is responsible for, which is why we’re currently undertaking a major inspection of the network,” Asset Planning Technical Officer Oscar Rogers said.

“The stormwater pipe network plays a very important role, particularly in times of extreme weather so it’s important we keep it functioning at its best.”

Contractor Pipe Management Australia (PMA) is currently inspecting Noosa’s stormwater pipe network using the latest technology in remote-controlled CCTV Robotic Inspection Cameras with laser guided measurement.

The equipment is being used as an essential tool to validate the network condition, assess, and identify blockages, cracks and other damage in need of repair. 

Pipe Management Australia staff explore the insides of Noosa’s stormwater pipe network using high-tech camera equipment.

“The contractor is also equipped with high-powered water jets and a vacuum to clean the pipes and remove debris,” Mr Rogers said.

He said residents may see Pipe Management Australia contractors working around stormwater manholes and culverts along some of the shire’s main roads currently.

“Typically the crews move from pit to pit along the stormwater network, collecting the asset information as required. The time spent on site will vary from location to location,” Mr Rogers said. 

“There may be some traffic delays as a result and we appreciate the community’s patience while work is underway.

“The data collected from the camera inspections helps us determine cleaning and maintenance/renewal priorities. It also helps us plan and design future road and pathway upgrades.”

Luke Moore, Queensland State Manager for Pipe Management Australia, explains the work that his team has been conducting in Noosa.

“As part of our inspection process, we use state-of-the-art camera technology with ultra-high zoom capabilities. The camera is lowered into a manhole to capture video zooming along the pipe to rapidly assess the stormwater drain to determine the condition,” he said.

“In specific situations, our team will also utilise a specialised robotic tractor-mounted camera. The tractor travels the length of the line inspecting in further detail for any defects using full 360 degree pan, rotate and zoom function.

“Once the collection of field information has been quality assured and completed, it is then uploaded into Council’s system. Oscar’s team can review and validate the data and footage to prioritise any urgent or future works. This project showcases great collaboration between the PMA and Noosa Council teams, from the field crews to the asset managers. This program is achieving the desired results and is on track for successful completion,” Mr Moore said.

“Full inspection of the network will take around 18 months, and we’re prioritising the stormwater pipes below roads that are set to be resealed or upgraded so that any repairs can be done either before, or in conjunction with, the roadworks,” Mr Rogers added.