Westera Corp Booklet

Westera Partners Pty Ltd is a highly respected Australian consulting engineering firm that has been
practicing on the Gold Coast since 1981, Brisbane since 1998 and Northern New South Wales since
2009, in the disciplines of structural, civil and environmental engineering. The company has
extensive experience in the following fields of structural engineering.

- Residential housing
- Forensic investigation
- Two and three storey townhouses
- Low rise unit developments
- Medium rise apartment blocks with basement car parking
- Factory and warehouse buildings
- Aged care facilities
- Retail buildings
- Low and medium rise office buildings
- Service club facilities
- School buildings

What makes us different?

Westera Partners provide a very unique service to our clients. We treat every project as if it were
our own. We carefully listen to our clients and understand what is important to them. We provide
educated and informed feedback to minimise construction costs and reduce construction times.

Our service ensures every project is designed or supervised by a senior engineer with over ten years
experience. We are approachable, reliable and experts in our field.

Personnel

The Westera Partners team is made up of
highly talented individuals. We currently
have over thirty staff across our three
offices including Engineers, Draftsmen
and Administration Staff. Each member
of the team is dedicated to excellence
and their contributions to the whole
company is invaluable. All Partners
and Directors are actively involved John Westera Anthony Hockings Clive Cowdell Bret Arthur
in the design of every project Consultant Director & structural Director & structural Director & structural
project engineer project engineer project engineer
worked on and their experience
has made the firm a leader in
the industry.

Peter Ide Ross Keene Joshua Neale Brett Collins Gavin Scoffell
Partner & structural Partner & structural Partner & structural Partner & structural Senior civil designer
project engineer project engineer project engineer project engineer

Saumel Ide Chad Ings Matthew Gibbs Jeremy Leaning Daniel Christie Adam Ide
Civil & environmental Structural design Structural design Structural design Structural design Business Development
engineer engineer engineer engineer engineer manager

DIRECTORS NOTE

We love engineering and are passionate about creative designs that are economic and easily
executed on site. As Directors of Westera Partners we are committed to the success of every
project that we are commissioned to work on. We ensure that we are personally involved with
every aspect of the design, documentation and supervision to guarantee this. Our client
relationships are critically important to us. We pride ourselves on open and honest
communication, delivering projects on time and giving cost saving feedback. Our business has
been built on our motto of “people before profits” which has always been the key to our
success. We look forward to meeting you face to face and working with you on your project.

WESTERA PARTNERS | PROJECTS | CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL

Currumbin Ridge
Location Currumbin
Project Engineer Bret Arthur

Situation
Medium density residential development (sixty nine individual units and
duplex). The site is very steep with a history of slope instability.
Construction of the access roads to service each unit required extensive
cut and filling to achieve required grades. Access for construction was very
restricted due to only one entry location and the steep narrow roads
proposed.

Solution
The roads were designed with cut and fill to minimise excessive earthworks.
To stabilise the slopes, engineer designed masonry retaining walls with
deep piles were adopted. This enabled minimum excavation into the
existing slopes while maintaining a strong and durable retaining system.

Results
The finished stage one area now enables a sealed all weather access to all
areas of the site with stabilised batters for the construction of future
dwellings. The roadworks and stormwater drainage installed has helped
control erosion on the site and managed the discharge of stormwater from
the site in such a manner as to not effect downstream properties.

WESTERA PARTNERS | PROJECTS | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

St Paul de Chartres
Location Fedrick Street, Logan City
Project Engineer Samuel Ide
Situation
Substantial expansion of the existing aged care facility (fourty six single
storey units) to the west of the existing site. The existing site is a
vaccant lot with only one exsiting building. Access is to be provided off
the existing road network to the west and linked to the existing aged
care facility. The site is considerably sloped across to an existing creek at
the south of the site.

Solution
Extensive modelling of earthworks to create a road network and
building platform which can be used as pedestrian access for the
occupants. Stormwater drainage needed to be redirected and captured to
ensure no increase in flow was directed to the existing area’s
stormwater system. A detention and water quality system needed to be
installed that would cater not only for this stage but for future works as
well. To maximise site area for buildings an underground detention tank
was provided under the road network.

Results
Construction for stage one is set to be finished in late 2011. The
detention tank under the road has allowed for more site area to be
available for buildings and for the dispersal of flows to the existing creek
without excessive erosion. The site merges well into the existing road
network internally and provides an easy acess for all residential
occupants to walk to the main facilities building.


Peterson Road
Location Caboolture
Project engineer Bret Arthur

Situation
Residential subdivision (one lot into twenty three). Existing single lot
residential alotment was to be subdivided up into twenty three seperate
residential alotments. External catchment from western park area
feeding into and through site. The existing road intersection on Peterson
Road needed to be modified to allow safe access to site. Existing
stormwater and sewer mains in Peterson Road needed to be altered and
diverted to ensure adequate capacity still maintained to suit new
development.

Solution
Large detection basin proposed in the south east corner of site to ensure
no increase in peak stormwater discharge flows. To maximise the useable
site area for development the bio retention basin (needed for water quality)
was incorporated into the same footprint as the detention basin.

Results
A pleasant residential development which has maximised the saleable
area available while still maintaining aesthetic landscaping outlook for the
majority of the sites.


Menser Street
Location Calamvale
Project engineer Samuel Ide
Situation
High density residential townhouse development (two storey buildings).
Existing site sloped to rear of allotment. Legal point of discharge for both
the sewer and stormwater was nominated at a location 180m to the west
of the site, this would require the extension of the sewer and stormwater
through an existing council parkland. Removal of trees in the parkland was
not to occur and disturbance to tree root systems was to be minimal.

Solution
To ensure the construction of the sewer and stormwater did not adversely
effect the existing tree root system a combined shallow trench system was
proposed with a tree arborist on site directing the construction. The
alignment of the sewer and stormwater drainage was altered several times
to ensure no damage to tree roots, where this was not possible horizontal
directional drilling was to be undertaken.

Results
The use of on site supervision and modern drilling practises has enabled
the construction of the stormwater and sewer systems to occur where
conventional construction would have resulted in the project not
proceeding.


Andergrove Lakes
Location Mackay
Architect Idea Architecture Pty Ltd
Project Engineer Sam Ide

Situation
The Andergrove Lakes development involves six stages of development:
- Standard residential lots - 86 in Stages 1-4, estimated 81 in Stage 6.
- Medium density lots - 4 in Stage 1-4, numerous medium density villas
and units (110 estimated terrace houses equivalent) in Stage 6.
- Commercial lots - 1 in Stage 1 (cable ski lake), 1 in Stage 4 (child care), 5 in
Stage 5, recreational lake operation and associated facilities in Stage 6.
The site presents many challenges for the project including:
- Difficult soil conditions such as marine clays and groundwater
- Flooding by a complex mix of regional flooding and local overland flow
from two separate catchments
- Located within an area mapped as High Ecological Significance (HES) Wetlands
- Receiving urban runoff from external catchments for maintaining
proposed lake water levels

Solution
Earthworks were designed to maximise flood storage and minimise
constriction of overland flow from external catchments. The material
beneath the marine clays was tested and found suitable for use as fill for
lots. Constructed wetlands and a natural waterway were designed to treat
runoff from the development and external catchments before discharging
into the proposed lake. Sewerage reticulation was designed to include a
gravity system, pump station and rising main.

Results
Design and operational works approval for stages 1 to 5 are complete. The
civil works for stages 1 to 3 have been tendered and is expected to
commence early 2012. The development has received positive media
overage and is expected to boost tourism for the Mackay region.


WESTERA PARTNERS | PROJECTS | COMMERCIAL, MULTI RESIDENTIAL
AND INDUSTRIAL

Saltwater Bargara
Location Miller Street, Bargara
Project Engineer Peter Ide
Summary of the Project
Located on the ocean front of Bargara Beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
This residential development consists of three levels of luxury units with a
basement floor, a concrete roof, swimming pool and landscaping features.

Situation
Westera Partners were engaged to carry out the civil and structural
engineering services for the project. There were a number of challenges to
overcome, one challenge was that the neighbouring properties were located
reasonably close to the proposed basement excavation and were in risk of
being undermined. Another challenge was the depth of the founding
boulder matrix below the basement excavation.

Solution
We were able to design and develop a construction methodology that
eliminated the need of expensive sheet piling, but still provided adequate
stabilisation to the excavation batters for the basement earthwork. The
foundation design of the building chosen was a high level spread footing
system in the low bearing capacity sands with localised compaction to
reduce settlement. We were also able to be flexible with our design
approach when the client decided to reconfigure the load bearing wall
locations in an effort to optimise the final unit spaces to suit purchasers.

Result
The construction was carried out without any incidents, in time and within
budget. The development has won the UDIA QLD state presidents award for
best overall development in Queensland as well as the best small
- medium density development awards.

WESTERA PARTNERS | PROJECTS | COMMERCIAL, MULTI-RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL

Freshwater Point
Location Broadbeach Waters
Project Engineer Ross Keene & Clive Cowdell
Situation
Freshwater point is positioned in the heart of Broadbeach and
neighbours Jupiters Casino and The Gold Coast Convention Centre. The
development boasts approximately two hundred and sixty units in
total across three buildings from four to ten storeys in height. The resorts
facilities include outdoor heated pool, children’s wading pool, sauna, spa,
steam room, gym, fishing jetty, café and meeting/function rooms.

Solution
Westera Partners were engaged by the client to provide Civil and Structural
Engineering Services to this project. The buildings sit over a double height
basement that pushes well into the surrounding water-table. Tension
ground anchors were required to resist the large hydrostatic forces
associated with this aspect. Precast walls and columns were adopted to
support the reinforced concrete slabs to assist in reducing the very tight
time frame given to construct the building. These precast elements were
constructed off site and were trucked and stock-piled on site ready to be
lifted into place after each deck pour. The modern architectural design
required large cantilevered slab elements that can be viewed from all
elevations.

Results
Freshwater point was delivered to the client on time and within budget.
The construction techniques adopted by the builder were very efficient
and resulted in the building being the “talk of the town” at the time, with
reference to the construction speed.


VIP Petfoods
Location Yatala
Project Engineer Clive Cowdell
Situation
VIP Petfoods has become a household name and a world renowned QLD
company specialising in fresh chilled pet food. This 7000m2 building is the
companies head office located in Yatala. Its signature appearance can be
easily noticed when travelling along the Pacific Highway. The project was
completed in two stages. Stage one was the two main factory buildings.
Stage two was an extension to one of the existing buildings and a purpose
built administration building.

Solution
Being a specialist food preparation building, Westera Partners worked
closely with the architect and builder to maximise the efficiency of the
design with particular attention to hygiene. The pet food preparation
building is a portal frame structure with the portal columns located on the
outside of the building. This technique enabled the insulation wall panels
to continuously run around the perimeter forming both the internal and
external wall structure. The ceiling panels were supported by the concealed
roof steelwork. The ground floor slabs were post-tensioned to limit the
floor jointing within the building, thus improving the hygiene component.

Results
VIP Petfoods is a real local success storey and the company continues to
grow worldwide. Westera Partners is proud to be associated with this client
and look forward to continued work through expansion in the future.


Kula Beach Homes
Location Coolum
Project Engineer Joshua Neale
Situation
The Kula Beach homes are situated on the Sunshine Coast nature reserves
and within a close walk of the beach. The project consists of sixty two
unique architecturally designed homes created by four of Australias
leading architect firms. The homes which are two and three storeys high
were required by the developer to be economically constructed without
compromising the designers creative intent.

Solution
Westera Partners were given the responsibilty of creating a uniform,
efficient and affordable construction methodology for all four architects
different design variations. We were able to simplify complex problems and
explore extensive options to satisfy the builder, architects and developer.

Results
The completed homes have proven to be extremely popular in the market
with many industry awards already been won. The ability of Westera
Partners to communicate with so many different parties on this project
and deliver a simple and unified solution has been a contributing factor in
the projects success.


Harmony
Location Runaway Bay
Project Engineer Clive Cowdell

Situation
Harmony is a unique apartment development incorporating the fine art of
Feng Shui. The project comprised of six seperate buildings from between
three and eight stories in height built entirely over an underground
basement. The buildings size and orientation were paramount to the
desired theme. The development incorporates a common central courtyard
with pool, fire pit, private niches and community spaces surrounded by
planting which includes a number of original mature trees retained on the
site. A central water feature snakes its way through the central court-yard
naturally dividing the different spaces.

Solution
Westera Partners were commissioned by the client to undertake Civil and
Structural services on this project. The sites stormwater bio-retention
system was cleverly incorporated into the landscaping scheme. The
buildings foundation raft slab and podium slab were post-tensioned due
to the large basement spans and carrying load pattern above the podium
deck. The roof slabs were also stressed to help ensure water-tightness.
Generally the typical floors were reinforced concrete supported on block-
work and cast insitu concrete walls/columns. The site had a high water
table so particular attention was given to de-watering during the basement
excavation and construction of the buildings to ensure this would not be an
issue for the structure.

Results
Harmony is a unique development with a lot of special features
incorporated, that may not be necessarily visible and therefore appreciated
by the buildings occupants. The developer has been meticulous in following
his desired theme throughout and has worked very closely with the
consultants and builder to create a product that he is particularly proud of.


Audi Centre Gold Coast
Location Southport, Gold Coast
Project Engineer Ross Keene
Situation
Following continued strong growth in Audi car sales throughout Australia,
Gold Coast Audi franchisee the Frizelle Group embarked on this impressive
$11 million development. The development comprises a basement carpark
and car storage area, showroom, administration areas and 23 high-tech
service bays. The architectural design and detailing of the building was
required to conform to Audi’s Showroom Concept, which is used around the
world to bring a distinct identity to their dealerships. This includes a curved
floor plan with raking columns and walls to divide the customer zone from
the car presentation zone.

Solution
The showroom area, with its curved gallery level and raking columns
offered the most challenging aspect to this project. The curve and rake to
the columns resulted in the office level, some 8m above the showroom
floor, having large spans of up to 24m. A structural steel frame comprising
raking and vertical columns, and deep steel plate I beams, was designed to
support precast pre-tensioned concrete floor planks. This structural system
minimised the need for high formwork scaffolding. Care was required
during the design, detailing and construction to maintain the stability of
the steel frame until the perimeter blockwork bracing walls and floors were
constructed.

Results
The completed building offers Audi customers a sophisticated open
atmosphere to compliment the premium quality of the vehicles on display.
They can even enjoy a coffee in the cafeteria overlooking the showroom
floor.


Tweed Valley Respite
Location Kingscliff
Project Engineer Joshua Neale & Daniel Christie
Situation
The project is a relocatable modular structure built and transported to
site, then craned into position. The site had limited access which required
lifting the structure over the existing obstacles.

Solution
The design incorporated a welded steel chassis which can be seen in the
photos to act as the rigid support frame during the lifting process. Once
the building has been craned into position on the steel posts this frame
then becomes the floor structure. The building is supported on isolated
pier footings.

Results
The structure is currently in operation and functioning effectively in the
community.

“ WESTERA PARTNERS PROMPT RESPONSES TO
QUERIES & ENGINEERING DESIGN SOLUTIONS HAS
FACILITTED A SMOOTH WORKFLOW

JOHN RISSMAN - ARCHITECT ”


WESTERA PARTNERS | PROJECTS | RESIDENTIAL

Hungerford Lane
Location Kingscliff
Supervising Partner Joshua Neale
Project Engineer Dan Christie

Situation
The house is located on a sloping site and was met with extensive rock
excavation. The design had to take into consideration the build over sewer
line which is located under a large section of the residence. The site is also
exposed to high wind speeds and the architectural layout had minimal
opportunities for bracing due to the open design and Bi-fold doors. The
open design also meant that there where large cantilevering sections with
restricted locations for support columns to give the desired open design.

Solution
The design outcome was achieved by closely working with the Architect and
builder. The design incorporated raft slab on ground and pier footings to
span the structure over the sewer line. The large cantilever members were
achieved by the use of steel beams and the structure was braced with a mix
of conventional ply bracing and steel work.

Results
The house is a standout residence in the area. With an incredible open
coastal feel with un-interrupted views when opened up.


Small Street
Location Newstead
Project Engineer Joshua Neale
Situation
The house is located on a very small site being only 230 square meters.
The site also required potentially complex foundations due to the
neighbouring property being built to the boundary. Bracing of the
structure was challenging as a result of the architectural form and the
need to maximise views.

Solution
We were able to design the structure to resist bracing loads by the
introduction of a simple steelwork portal frame and the introduction of
blockwork nibs which added minimal costs to construction. We also
adopted a hit and miss approach to the foundation system to avoid
undermining or underpinning of the adjacent residence which saved
significant costs during construction.

Results
An award winning architectural home that is intricate and yet structurally
efficient. The attention to structural detail is evident in the construction
simplicity and clean form.

“ BEING A VERY SMALL AND TIGHT SIGHT, THE
ENGINEERING WAS TO BE SMART, SIMPLE AND EASY
TO ERRECT.

SHAWN GODWIN - BASE ARCHITECTURE ”


Cylinders Drive
Location Salt Village
Supervising Partner Joshua Neale

Situation
The house is located in a high wind coastal region and is susceptible to
harsh environmental factors such as salt air, thermal fluctuations and large
rainfall events. The subject site is also located in a newly developed
subdivision that experienced considerable filling to achieve design levels.

Solution
The project was designed to resist high wind forces by the introduction of
a suspended slab and masonry walls to assist in diaphragm action to the
exposed rear of the house, thus avoiding unnecessary and bulky steelwork.
The foundation system adopted was a raft slab that spread the mass of
the house over the majority of the site to minimise differential settlement.

Results
The completed house is a standout along the esplanade at salt village and
always grabs the attention of visitors. The builder, Steve Kerr from Steve
Kerr Homes, has won several awards for his teams extraordinary
workmanship and attention to detail. The client has been very pleased with
the final outcome.

“ The signficant house structure was efficiently
developed by the Westera Team and resulted in a refined
composition.

Chris Lillis - Crisilis Architecture ”


Lota House
Project Lota House
Project engineers Peter Ide & Matthew Gibbs
Situation
The residence is located on a triangular block near the esplanade fronting
Raby Bay. The design had to meet client expectations of high ceilings and
open plan living whilst the structure had to withstand the high wind loads
caused by the exposure to Raby Bay.

Solution
Westera Partners worked closely with the architect to design various
carefully detailed timber and steel bracing elements which ensured the
open planned concept was achieved whilst keeping to the clients budget
requirements.

Results
The finished constructed form has effectively delivered to the clients a
beautiful conducive environment for producing their own creative work.
The collaboration between the architect, builder and Westera Partners has
managed to ensure the restrictive site has been optimised to its full
potential.


Hedges Avenue
Project Hedges Avenue
Location Mermaid Beach
Project Engineer Anthony Hockings

Situation
This house was constructed over four sites on “millionaire’s row”, Hedges
Avenue, Mermaid Beach. The two storey residence is built entirely over a
basement that features large column free space for car storage, a feature
wine cellar crafted by a specialist artist to create a vintage feel, large
cinema room, gym and plant rooms. The architectural design maximised
the beachfront views on each level and special consideration was given to
the large entertaining areas overlooking the beach, pool and tennis court.
The two large columns facing the beachfront represent goal posts
reminding the original owner of his successful professional AFL career.

Solution
We designed the house using a number of specialist techniques. Generally
the floor slabs were reinforced concrete construction, however the thirteen
metre free span over the carpark required a post-tensioned slab. The
external walls were either block work or cast insitu concrete for durability
and longevity. The building is situated within the council scour zone and
therefore the foundations are supported on deep piles. Ground retention
sheet piling was adopted on the southern boundary to protect the
neighbouring property. Condition reports were completed on each
neighbouring structure prior to construction.

Results
This home is regarded one of the most valuable properties on the Gold
Coast. Its short history already boasts many interesting stories that stretch
far and wide. Its presence commands attention from passes buy, an
unforgettable image spread across one of the most beautiful beaches in
the world.


CONTACT US

Brisbane
Level 3 Limestone, 33 Longland St Newstead QLD 4006

PO Box 2016
Fortitude Valley BC QLD 4006

T: +617 3852 4333
F: +617 3852 4777

Gold Coast
Level 3, 17 Welch St Southport QLD 4215

PO box 6138 Gold Coast Mail Centre QLD 9726

T: +617 5571 1599
F: +617 5571 1330

Northern NSW
2/22 Moss St Kingscliff NSW 2487

PO Box 1131
Kingscliff NSW 2487

T: +61 2 6674 8047
F: +61 26674 8049

Westera Corp Booklet

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