Westfield - Use ACO PowerDrain, heavy grated trench-system comprising precast modular channels.

Helensvale, with an estimated population growth rate of just over 5% per annum is one of the fastest growing regions in South East Queensland. In anticipation of this sustained growth, Westfield in October 2005 opened an integrated shopping town centre and street precinct at the junction of the Pacific Motorway and Gold Coast Highway. The street precinct is linked with the city's bus interchange at Helensvale railway station.

This is Westfield's second only greenfield retail development in Queensland with over 160 stores to serve Helensvale's growing and diverse community.

The shopping centre comprises over 40,000 sq metres of leasable area, parking for more than 2000 cars and a mix of both landscaped and hardstand highly trafficked concrete areas. To drain the site's large pavements, PowerDrain S300K was installed to ensure a high volume of rainwater is quickly removed during heavy storms with minimal interference to Westfield's customers. The drain also provided a barrier so that runoff would not flow across the site's adjoining roads.

PowerDrain is a heavy duty grated trench system comprising precast modular channels made from durable polymer concrete. For this project, a sequence of sloped channels was assembled to produce a continuous graded trench to ensure efficient drainage. The 90 tonne (rated) robust ductile iron grates is a guarantee for safe passage for many more years of car traffic from Westfield's customers. Each grate is fitted with PowerLok boltless locking mechanisms allowing staff to quickly access the trench during maintenance operations.

Australian manufacturer, ACO Polycrete is the industry's leader in trench drainage. A number of different systems are available with a wide range of grates. The company also offers Australasia's widest range of access covers and pits. These enclosures were also selected in various location of the shopping centre to house Westfield various plumbing and electrical services.