Civil Engineering

Costas Hydroponic Tomato Growing Facility – Expansion & Water Security – Stages 2 & 3 Completion

Following two consecutive years of record low rainfall, the construction of Stage 2 of the Costas hydroponic tomato growing facility was temporarily put on hold in 2019. Over the course of 2020 Kelley Covey Group have worked closely with the Costa Group to identify potential additional water sources and storage options as well as water efficiency improvements to improve water security at the site.

Extended modelling of the site was undertaken, including analysis of climate records dating back over 120 years, and a multi-faceted plan for improving the confidence levels of water supply was developed, including the construction of additional storage dams for surface water sources, construction of a buffer-dam for the storage of extracted groundwater during non-critical times, improved surface water treatment systems and covering all storages to prevent evaporation losses. The multi-million dollar plan recently received planning approval and construction is due to commence in the near future. The plan should improve the confidence level of a sufficient water supply to over 97% without relying on any potable water supplies from the Guyra township.

Stages 2 and 3 of the Costa Guyra tomato farm were completed this year, involving completion of an additional 2 x 5ha growing glasshouses, a 2.5ha nursery for propagating plants, extensive stormwater drainage work, access and reticulation roads, irrigation, heating and other infrastructure. The completion of this stage represents the culmination of nearly 8 years of planning, design and construction, and represents an additional $80 million investment in agriculture in our region.

In addition, an additional two dams with a total storage capacity of 90ML have been designed and constructed in response to critical water storages during the drought of 2017-2019. Kelley Covey Group completed all civil design works, stormwater and rainfall modelling and water cycle management for each stage of the project, and continue our close working relationship with Costa at the facility.