At A'Beckett Creek SWC sections of the channel walls have broken away and the embankments behind the channel walls eroding. The work involves cutting out defective panel or sections and replace with concrete doweled into the adjacent slabs. As tidal waters affect the channel, managing it was the project team's first priority.

Following successful use of the Pallet Barrier System (PBS) in Europe for flood control, it was decided to use the system on a trial basis in lieu of sandbagging, to control tidal flows into the work area.

The channel was dammed at the downstream section with the PBS placed across the channel from wall to wall to prevent tidal waters from entering the work area. The width of the channel is approximately 5m wide with sloping walls. The system comprised of the standard 90cm units with the 180cm extension pieces to cope with the varying tidal water levels (tide levels range from 0.35m to 1.80m).

The speed of erecting the system was comparatively faster than sandbagging. It took less than two hours to erect it with 3 men (it would have taken much less time if the channel floor was not full of silt and sludge). The field personnel found it easier to carry the units and much lighter than carrying sand bags. Sandbagging of the dam to similar height and width would have taken at least half a day. Future installation will no doubt take much less time as the field personnel become more acquainted with the system.

Keeping out tidal flows from the work area with the PBS during high tides worked quite well. This enabled the work to proceed with minimal tidal water intrusion into the work area particularly during demolition and concrete pouring of the walls.

The PBS system has been very effective in isolating the work area from stormwater or tidal effects in this project. With this experience gained the project team will be able to utilise the system in future stormwater channel remedial projects. For damming purposes the system works quite well and the system appears to be flexible to suit varying site conditions.

Throughout the installation (and post-installation) at A'Becketts Creek SWC, Mr Harry Mansson and the Permastop Management has been very helpful in providing advice and assistance by maintaining frequent contact with the project team.