Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains at McKimmies Road, Bundoora, Melbourne
Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains (PVDs) were successfully installed by Soilwicks Australia at the McKimmies Road, Bundoora remediation site in Melbourne, Victoria. This 30-hectare former basalt quarry, located approximately 32 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, is being transformed into development-ready land through a comprehensive ground improvement program.
Ground improvement was essential to prepare the quarry floor for future infrastructure and commercial development. The project required deep wick drain installation through challenging compacted fill conditions, demanding specialist equipment, experienced operators, and strict quality control throughout the installation process.
Project Overview
The McKimmies Road redevelopment required a tailored ground improvement strategy to accelerate soil consolidation and enable future construction activities. Soilwicks was engaged to deliver a comprehensive Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drain (PVD) installation program designed to improve drainage pathways within the underlying soils and compacted fill material.
Wick drains were installed to depths exceeding 20 metres, penetrating dense and compacted quarry fill without the need for pre-drilling. Achieving these installation depths under such demanding conditions demonstrates both the effectiveness of the methodology and the capability of Soilwicks’ specialist wick drain installation equipment and personnel.
The successful installation of Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains will accelerate consolidation across the site, reducing long-term settlement risks and supporting the next stage of redevelopment works.
Technical Challenge
Installing Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains into compacted quarry fill presents significantly greater resistance than installation within natural soft clay deposits. The ground conditions required sustained force, precise control, and consistent monitoring to achieve design depth while maintaining vertical accuracy.
The Soilwicks team utilised a high-capacity wick drain installation rig capable of delivering approximately 40 tonnes of pull-down force. This enabled continuous penetration through dense fill materials without pre-drilling, reducing program duration while minimising additional ground disturbance.
Avoiding pre-drilling not only improved installation efficiency but also reduced potential variability in drain placement and installation quality. The result was a streamlined ground improvement program delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with strict quality assurance procedures.
Equipment & Methodology
Soilwicks’ approach to Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drain installation combines specialised equipment with disciplined operational processes and rigorous quality control.
Each wick drain installation was monitored to ensure:
- Correct design depth achievement
- Vertical alignment compliance
- Installation rate consistency
- Real-time quality assurance checks
- Accurate installation records
Our rig’s 40-tonne pull-down capacity enabled reliable performance across varying fill densities and ground conditions. This level of equipment capability is critical when delivering large-scale ground improvement projects within challenging redevelopment environments.
Why Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains Were Selected
Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains are widely recognised as one of the most effective ground improvement techniques for accelerating the consolidation of soft and compressible soils. By creating vertical drainage pathways within the ground, wick drains allow excess pore water pressures to dissipate more rapidly when surcharge loading is applied, significantly reducing the time required for settlement.
For the McKimmies Road, Bundoora remediation site, the installation of Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains provided a practical and cost-effective solution for preparing the former quarry for future development. The wick drain installation program was designed to improve drainage performance throughout the treated ground profile while reducing the risk of long-term settlement.
The use of Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains also enabled the project team to accelerate the ground improvement process compared to relying on natural consolidation alone. This approach supports faster redevelopment timeframes and helps provide greater confidence in future ground performance. As redevelopment projects continue to transform former industrial and extraction sites across Australia, wick drain installation remains a proven and reliable method of improving challenging ground conditions.
Team & Collaboration
This project was delivered by a committed Soilwicks crew, with particular recognition to Luke and Michelle, who have supported the works since mid-2023. Their leadership onsite ensured the Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drain installation program progressed safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards.
We also developed a strong working partnership with our client, Unyte. We extend our appreciation to Brendan Swaine, Leigh Turner, Anthony Lucente, and Ben Parke for their collaboration and support throughout the project lifecycle.
Outcome & Development Readiness
With the Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains installation now complete, the McKimmies Road, Bundoora remediation site is positioned for accelerated consolidation and future construction activities.
This project demonstrates Soilwicks Australia’s capability to deliver technically demanding ground improvement and wick drain installation projects at scale while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and productivity.
The transformation of the McKimmies Road site highlights the critical role that Prefabricated Vertical Wick Drains play in unlocking development potential. Through specialist expertise in wick drain installation, soil consolidation, and ground improvement, Soilwicks continues to support major infrastructure, redevelopment, and land development projects throughout Australia.
