Newstead Pile Field Replacement

⁠⁠⁠Expressions of Interest are invited from organisations wishing to tender for the Newstead Pile Field replacement construction services.

Optional site inspections will be held at 10-11am Wednesday 29 April and 2-3pm Tuesday 5 May 2026. Registrations are required via the link on Tenders Victoria website.

Contractors are invited to submit by Friday 29th May 2026, 4.00pm. North Central CMA intends to release a selective Request for Tender (RFT) for the role in July/ August 2026 via Tenders Vic.

This project will restore previous investment in waterway health on the Loddon River and protect existing environmental assets damaged during the October 2022 flood event and subsequent storm events.

A public EOI has commenced to market test the construction estimate and fast track the tender process once statutory approvals are provided. Three of the businesses who submit an EOI will be selected for tender by invitation in July/August 2026.

Project description

Background information

Since 2003, the project site has received significant NRM investment to:

- Remove invasive woody weeds (e.g. willow) to improve habitat and conveyance of flood water.

- Restore native vegetation for habitat and soil stabilisation.

- Install erosion mitigation structures (pile fields) to protect waterway assets and prevent sediment mobilisation into the downstream Cairn Curran Reservoir.

The 2022 floods and subsequent minor events caused significant damage to the pile field, the piles and up to 5m of bank were washed away and the embankment is now unprotected from future erosion. North Central CMA has received flood recovery funding to replace the piles and protect existing environmental assets.

Streamology Pty Ltd were engaged to undertake an investigation of the site, including an assessment of existing conditions to inform a Restoration Options Assessment, completed June 2025. The assessment determined that pile fields were the highest ranked intervention method for bank stabilisation at the site provided they were implemented alongside:

- Complementary point bar removal

- Revegetation

- Installation of a rock toe to support the long-term stability of the site.

Following the options assessment and recommendations, Streamology were subsequently engaged to prepare the detailed design drawings for the replacement of the pile fields.

Scope

Expressions of Interest are invited from organisations wishing to tender for Newstead pile field replacement and point bar removal works for North Central Catchment Management Authority.

The project has been divided into two stages. The works include, but are not limited to the following:

 Stage 1 – Pile field replacement

• Establish access on the western bank using existing tracks (Figure 3)
• Install timber piles to the maximum reach available from the existing bank
• Revegetate with native species on the top of the embankment and within the Crown frontage. Note: the current crown frontage licence holder has consented to changing from a grazing licence to a riparian licence.

Stage 2 – Removal of point bar and embed rock along toe

• Establish access on the eastern bank using existing tracks, private land and disturbance approximately 50lm of riparian vegetation (Figure 3)
• Remove 0.5m from the existing surface of the point bar. Use this material to restore a stable bank toe on the western bank
• Extend the timber piles to the previous extent (post 2012)
• Reshape the disturbed embankment to provide a stable slope and natural appearance
• Return private land to pasture.

Construction access – Proposed site access alignment:

Stage 1 – Western side of Loddon River

- Utilise Sealed access track off Pyrenees Highway opposite Campbell Street

- Drive East for 240m

- Follow unformed track heading North for 300m to farm gate

- Enter construction zone through gate

Stage 2 – Eastern side of Loddon River

- Turn off Maldon - Newstead Road at intersection of Adair Street

- Drive west between levee bank and private property boundary towards Avoca River

- Turn Right at the end of the track into private paddock. Paddock to be laydown and material stockpile site

- Construct and utilise 4m wide construction track heading north for 60m from private paddock to Loddon River point bar

Briefings

Optional Site Inspection #1

A briefing session will be held at Pyrenees Highway, Opposite Campbell Street, Newstead, Victoria, Australia, 3462 on 29 April 2026 10:00 am.

Notes: Registration is essential for site inspections

• Meeting point, Western Side of Loddon River: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gD7Jy6UnE4scx81h8

-Utilise Sealed access track off Pyrenees Highway opposite Campbell Street

- Drive East for 240m - Follow unformed track heading North for 300m to farm gate

- Enter construction zone through gate

Registration closes on 27 April 2026 12:00 pm

Optional Site Inspection #2

A briefing session will be held at Pyrenees Highway opposite Campbell Street, Newstead, Victoria, Australia, 3462 on 5 May 2026 02:00 pm.

Notes: Registration is essential for site inspections

• Meeting point, Western Side of Loddon River: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gD7Jy6UnE4scx81h8

- Utilise Sealed access track off Pyrenees Highway opposite Campbell Street

- Drive East for 240m - Follow unformed track heading North for 300m to farm gate

- Enter construction zone through gate

Registration closes on 4 May 2026 10:00 am