Mapleton Transfer Station Hardstand Renewal

The Goal

The primary goal of this project was to renew and upgrade the existing transfer station hardstand while ensuring the facility remained fully open to the public during construction. The upgrade also aimed to establish permanent drainage and sediment control infrastructure to protect the surrounding environment.

The Challenge

A major constraint of this project was that the hardstand is situated directly over a sensitive, closed landfill. We had to carefully control excavation depths to protect the existing clay capping layer and manage the risk of Landfill Gas (LFG). This environmental sensitivity was compounded by wet weather during construction, which required our team to rapidly seal exposed subgrades at the end of every shift to prevent rainwater from infiltrating the landfill and generating toxic leachate. Adding to the complexity, we had to execute these earthworks while the transfer station remained fully operational to the public. Our team managed staging and traffic flow to physically separate heavy construction equipment from operational machinery and public vehicles, ensuring smooth access and zero disruptions during the facility's weekend operating hours.

The Solution

Our solution centred on a carefully staged earthworks program that physically separated construction activities from public drop-off zones. To safeguard the closed landfill, we undertook depth-controlled subgrade preparation and laid a protective geofabric warning marker. The team also constructed robust stormwater infrastructure—including a concrete cleanout sump and rock-lined swales—before placing and compacting a new 100mm gravel hardstand designed to withstand heavy operational traffic.

The Result

Infrex successfully delivered a durable, upgraded unsealed hardstand for the Mapleton Transfer Station. The new rock-lined swales and concrete sediment cleanout sump provide long-term stormwater management, while the installed geofabric marker layer ensures the ongoing protection of the closed landfill. All works were completed safely and handed over to the council on schedule.