Site Analysis of WestConnex Construction Project in Australia

This report provides a site analysis of the WestConnex construction project in Australia, including standards, legal procedures, constraints, and opportunities. The report recommends quality and risk management, project timeline, and development of fair tools and techniques for consent authority. Applicable legislations and policies related to health and safety regulations and personal protective equipment are also discussed.

Construction
management
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The main aim of this report was to conduct a site analysis regarding one of the current
construction project sites which is underway in Australia and has been approved by a relevant
governmental and state regulatory body or authority. The major project upon which this report
was is constructed on is WestConnex which is the most ambitious and large scale
transportation construction project in Australian history within which a 33 km long light
highway in the land of Sydney in New South Wales will be built using tunnels and an
underground transitional bridge. This report will discuss the important analytical aspects of this
project such as its standards, legal procedures and the constraints as well as advantages to
determine the overall viability of this project.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.....................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY......................................................................................................................................4
Standard development required for site analysis......................................................................4
Site analysis identifying the constraints.....................................................................................5
Site analysis identifying the opportunities.................................................................................8
Recommendations for consent authority according to development standards......................9
Applicable legislations and policies..........................................................................................11
RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................15
APPENDIX.......................................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
The site analysis is defined as the preliminary phase of the architecture and the urban
design processes which involves the study of the various aspect such as climate, geographical,
historical, legal and infrastructural context (Ashworth and Perera, 2018). This is the main
purpose of the individual or the project executers in order to analyse the different aspect
before constructing any building or any other form of the site. The site analysis also include the
preliminary research before analysing the intellectual aspect of conducting the construction
work. This is an important for the individual in order to measure the various aspect which is
included in site analysis. There it is analysed that measure meant plays a important role in site
analysis in order to work effectively. This is also considered with the number of graphical tools
which will help in developing the site analysis. This report will include various topic such as the
development of a site, legal policies, standard development of site analysis, opportunities and
identifying constraints.
MAIN BODY
Standard development required for site analysis
It is identified that there are different standard development for the site analysis which
need to be taken into consideration for the purpose of the site development. These are the
standards which helps the individual to develop the site in an effective way. As per the
Westconnex which is the site taken into account which is the 33 km underground motorway
scheme in the Australia there are different standards which are discussed below:
• Location- This is the first and the most significant standard of the development of the
site where the individual need to be aware of the location which is taken into account
for the development of the site (Bakchan, Faust and Leite, 2019). It is observed that the
locations which is choose should be within the major streets or landmark which will help
in analysing and in attaining the best outcome of the construction of the building.
• Neighbourhood context- This is defined as the another development standard where
the individual need to focus on the aspect of the neighbourhood context of te site
development. The is important for the development of the site analysis where the

surrounding is taken into considered for the development and the construction of the
building.
• Site and Zoning- This is the standard which is related to the site boundaries which can
be located by the either verifying the various other aspect. This is defined as the various
other requirements which is required in order to take into consideration so that the site
analysis can be taken fully and partially in an effective manner.
• Natural physical features- This is related to the standard development where the
various information will be derived from the topographic features on the site. A control
map of the magnitude can be located from the survey engineers and the other aspect.
• Human made features- There are various types of features located in the site analysis
where this is the most important in order to make the human made features within the
site development (Case, Blackburn and Stylios, 2018) . This is important standard
development for the construction of a building in order to identify the different aspect
of the effective and efficient working.
• Utilities- This is defined as the standard development for the site analysis where the
individual is responsible for the development of the basic utilities in order to construct a
building. The utility is defined as the ability to the construction work need to be done in
the the development of the standards.
Site analysis identifying the constraints
When it comes to exciting and budding construction projects which are being built with
futuristic outlook, one of the most memorable and potentially hit project in Australia is the
WestConnex which is a major construction project wherein if executed by 2023 according to
the plans, the people of Sydney and Australia will get to experience a truly advanced
transportation utility in the form of a 33 kilometre long highway which will be light free
motorway wherein many popular attraction spots in Sydney such as its beaches and tourist
destinations will be connected (Chen and Pan, 2018). The highway project's construction site is
quite unique as it was built and is still being constructed to this day with the point of view in
mind that by using tunnels as a part of the transportation network, the entire project can be
completed underground which will help free up spaces of Sydney.

Illustration 1: The WestConnex Project
The project and its subsequent construction site in Sydney, New South Wales is very
ambitious which is visible from the fact that it is the most expensive and largest transportation
related construction in Australia's history and the project's broad guidelines and scope made it
split into the following phases.
• The New M4 which was opened on July, 2019 which includes the construction of new
M4 5.5 km tunnels which will be used to connect Haberfield to Parramatta which will
save a lot of travel time to the later
• The M8 which was opened on July, 2020 which consists of twin tunnels of 9 km which
connects M5 at Kingsgrove to other residential areas such as an interchange in St Peters.
• The M4-M5 link tunnels will be opening in 2023 and will serve as connecting bridge
between M4 at Haberfield with the M5 at St Peters along with connection to the Iron
Coves area via the Rozelle interchange
• The rozelle interchange is the final and most ambitious part of the entire construction
project as it will take place entirely underground and will connect the M4-M5 links to
the Anzac and Iron Cove bridges.

However ambitious a project might be, there are several constraints which can affect
the smooth planning and rolling out of such an ambitious project where multiple variables are
needed and are dealt with at numerous times. Some of the major constraints that have been
noticed about the WestConnex project site is listed in this section of the report.
Planning and Building
The map which has been laid out which will serve as the developmental beacon of this
project will have to go through major overhauls as there have been sufficient hiccups in the
past where the NSW government has run into tough challenges regarding the drilling and
opening of widespread roads and fault lines in Sydney lay the groundwork of this project
(Farrow and Wetzel, 2021). The Rozelle interchange especially is a very tough project to
execute as it the connective glue which will serve to connect all the different tunnels which will
serve as the major connecting junction of the entire project. The highway project also is
dependent on the stability of the tunnels that have been built over a short period of time as the
government of NSW has pushed developmental milestones very fast. There is some concern
that the overall planning did not take into account the massive developmental scope of the
project. Costing is also another major constraint as the Rozelle interchange will have to go for
regular upkeep and it being underground will cost a lot of maintenance money to the NSW
government.
Sustainability
With the way that construction projects all over the world such as WestConnex have
affected the environment in a bad way, the applications for sustainability serve as a severe
project constraint which the government of NSW and the construction authority must follow.
Underground construction causes damage to a lot of natural resources residing beneath the
earth and also lead to a lot of tectonic disturbances (Franz, 2018). The project site is also
closely linked to the local residential area of New South Wales and the massive roadblocks have
caused plenty of division and debate over the inconvenience caused to the people.

Underground construction
The major part of the project which are the M4-M5 connective tunnels and the Rozelle
interchange is built fully underground which can also have major ramifications as there are
numerous constraints present in underground operations and tunnel construction such as
constant upheavals, temperature abnormalities, heavy ingress of water and abrupt breakdown
of rocks which might result in project getting stalled briefly numerous times in the next year.
Site analysis identifying the opportunities
The WestConnex is a major project of Australia which will provide several opportunities.
Following are the opportunities attached with the project:
• Transportation facilities- Transportation facilities are important for the whole country.
The government of Australia is focusing on development of this project in order to
increase the transportation and provide a good route to the public. The Site will provide
quick solutions to transport movement all across Sydney. The route will develop speed
based approach in commuting from one place to another. People of Sydney will be also
benefited by this project as it will improve the quality of road.
• Employment opportunities- As the Westconnex is one of the largest projects of
Australia, it will increase the employment opportunities. The employment opportunities
will definitely going to increase the national income of the country. Generating
employment opportunities will also help the project to provide income to the every
household.
• Increase gross domestic product- Gross domestic product of a country plays a major
role in its development. The GDP of Australia will be increased by the Wesrconnex
project in a precise and systematic manner (Holm, 2018). Gross domestic product of
the whole country will provide major place to Australia in developed countries. In the
recent times, government of Australia is also focusing on increasing GDP with a major
rise in order to move ahead of other countries.
• Demand and supply of goods- The transportation facilities which will be increased with
the help and support of this project, will be able to provide fulfilment of demand and
supply. In the economy of Australia, demand and supply of major products and services

will be increased with transportation development. Quick delivery of goods and services
will help the people of Sydney to get their necessities fulfilled.
• Economic development- Development of the whole economy of Australia will be
facilitated by Westconnex project. It will increase key economic opportunities related to
development and will provide solutions on the basis of contemporary situation.
Development of whole economy will be enhanced with the help and support of
WestConnex project.
Illustration 2: Westconnex project Australia, 2022
Recommendations for consent authority according to development standards
The consent authority should develop a key approach in development of this concerned
project in order to deliver best services. The following are recommendations for consent
authority related to Westconnex project:
• Quality management- The authorities related to West Connex are supposed to maintain
quality in the whole project. Materials which are to be applied should be chosen with
proper care and development. Quality management is one of the major aspects which

needs to taken into consideration for successfully developing the project (Kereri and
Harper, 2018). Total quality management is also a major consideration which should
taken into account by consent authorities in order to deliver key practices.
• Risk management- As Westconnex is a large scale 33 KM road project, it is essential for
the authorities to manage risk. In order to eliminate risk associated with the operations,
it is crucial for the authorities to take into consideration risk management methods.
Management of risk can be performed by project manager of Westconnex by adopting
major methods of risk management like avoiding and sharing.
Illustration 3: Proposed view of Westconnex project, 2022
• Project timeline- The project Westconnex should be completed on time in order to
provide fair transportation facilities to the public. Timeline related to project is essential
to be developed by project manager and follow strict guidelines and rules to resolve the
issue. In order to complete the project on timeline, it is necessary for authorities to
follow a time table. In order to complete the project on timeline it is the main role of
project manager to focus on increasing overall potential of whole project.

• Development of fair tools and techniques- The consent authorities related to West
connex project should develop key tools and techniques to deal with consequences. The
authorities should deliver best practices which are helpful in increasing its value and
development. Growth and expansion of the project should be developed by authorities
in order to deliver crucial benefits to the public. The fair tools and techniques which are
to be adopted by WestConnex project will help in increasing the development of
project.
Applicable legislations and policies
Legislation and policies in site analysis
• The health and Safety regulations – In this regulation, the main aim of this regulation is
to protect the site with proper first aid kit. It is needed to have first aid kit if any worker
gets injured during work. The construction work is little bit risky so it is the responsibility
of the construction management team to ensure that the workers are covered with first
aid box (Cutcher-Gershenfeld and Isaac, 2018).
• The Personal protective Equipment regulations – In this legislation, every worker
should be provided with the equipment that will help him at the time of emergency. The
workers should be provided with torch, safety gears so that they can protect themselves
from hazards (Kim and Nguyen, 2020). They can be safe in case of any accident. Safety
belts should be provided in case of risky sites so that they can reduce the risk of
accident or mis-happening.
• The Electricity at work regulation – This legislation focuses on the availability of
electricity that is needed to have at the construction sites sob that workers can work in
an light area. In case of not having proper electricity, this may lead to fade the eye
colour and may lower the viewing capability of a worker. It is needed to have all the
necessary electrical system to be installed so that it can be used in running many
electrical machinery of constructions (Lansbury, 2021). It is the responsibility of the
construction management team to ensure that there should be availability of proper
electricity so that it do not lose the power of eyes of worker. Insufficient light may
damage the eyes completely.

• The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations – This act came into existence with the
aim to protect the workers from risks to health that can be due to vibration machines
that are being used at construction sites. This act introduced a limit value for hand arm
body vibration machines. The worker may face seviour back pain due to handling the
vibration machine for the whole day. The act also states that no comp0nay can use
traditional tools that adverse impacts on the health of workers due to vibrating
machines.
• The control of noise at work regulations – This act or legislation emphasis on the noise
pollution that is created by the heavy machinery that are used in construction work. The
main aim for introducing this legislation is to reduce the noise and that may be
hazardous to worker’s health. The construction management team should ensure that
the machinery that arte used create low noise that minimise the risk associated with
that. In addition to that it should control the level of noise that can harm the workers
ears and disturbs the whole society. In case of high noise generated machinery, workers
should be provided with hearing protection that can minimise the risk of damage of ears
(Choe and Leite, 2017).
• The Health and Safety signs and signals regulations – The construction sites should use
signs that helps the workers in getting understanding of danger (Okorie and Musonda,
2020). The signs should be clear and legible so that provides the information or
instruction about the health and safety with the help of sign boards and safety colours.
In case of any prohibited area, the management should use danger sign that warns the
workers about the risk.
• Fire safety – It is needed to have proper safety guards that helps the construction sites
in case of fire. The managements should place all the fire extinguisher in case of fire. It is
needed to place all the flammable raw material aside so that it won’t catch fire (Patel,
Suthar and Bhatt, 2021) So it is very important for the construction sites that they focus
on minimising the impact of fire on sites (Chen, McCabe and Hyatt, 2018).
• The working at Height Regulation – Every construction sites team should ensure that
the work should be properly planned and carry out its operations in such a manner that
it does not injured any worker. There must be proper precautions that are needed to be

taken care for the workers who are working at a distant height. The safety belts are to
be provided so that they can save themselves from being injured (Shanbari and Issa,
2019). They should be provided with right equipment that will make the work easier in
multilevel buildings.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After a comprehensive analysis of the WestConnex project, the following
recommendations have been listed beneath which well help mitigate some of the identified
constraints and also help in ease of achievement of the project in 2023.
• The NSW government must ensure that it is a sustainable undertaking by keeping noise
and air pollution levels in control so as to not bother the local community
• The underground terminals, bridges and tunnels must be subject to constant
supervision and maintenance to avoid damage to personnel and the nearby societies
• The material requirements must be procured well in advance by forecasting the
demands in 2023 and COVID-19 is still disrupting Australian supply chains regularly.

CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that site analysis is defined as the
measurement and the various aspect in order to construct a building. It is very important for
the individual to develop a plan and the construction in an effective and efficient way in order
to increase efficient while analysing the site. There are many legal considerations which have
been a part of this project and the people in charge must make sure that all standards of
compliance are being duly met. The report also went into detail regarding the various benefits
and constraints which the WestConnex project is subject to along with major recommendations
which the NSW government should look into for smooth completion of this project which is due
next year.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ashworth, A. and Perera, S., 2018. Contractual procedures in the construction industry.
Routledge.
Bakchan, A., Faust, K.M. and Leite, F., 2019. Seven-dimensional automated construction waste
quantification and management framework: Integration with project and site planning.
Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 146, pp.462-474.
Case, D.M., Blackburn, T. and Stylios, C., 2018. Modelling construction management problems
with fuzzy cognitive maps. In Fuzzy hybrid computing in construction engineering and
management. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Chen, L. and Pan, W., 2018. Fuzzy set theory and extensions for multi-criteria decision-making
in construction management. In Fuzzy Hybrid Computing in Construction Engineering
and Management. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Chen, Y., McCabe, B. and Hyatt, D., 2018. A resilience safety climate model predicting
construction safety performance. Safety science, 109, pp.434-445.
Choe, S. and Leite, F., 2017. Construction safety planning: Site-specific temporal and spatial
information integration. Automation in Construction, 84, pp.335-344.
Cutcher-Gershenfeld, J.E. and Isaac, J., 2018. Creating value and mitigating harm: Assessing
institutional objectives in Australian industrial relations. The Economic and Labour
Relations Review, 29(2), pp.143-168.
Farrow, C.B. and Wetzel, E., 2021. An active learning classroom in construction management
education: Student perceptions of engagement and learning. International Journal of
Construction Education and Research, 17(4), pp.299-317.
Franz, B., 2018. Total construction management: lean quality in construction project delivery.
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management.
Holm, L., 2018. Cost accounting and financial management for construction project managers.
Routledge.
Kereri, J.O. and Harper, C.M., 2018. Trends in social network research in construction teams: A
literature review. In Construction Research Congress 2018 (pp. 115-125).
Kim, S.Y. and Nguyen, V.T., 2020. Supply chain management in construction: critical study of
barriers to implementation. International Journal of Construction Management, pp.1-
10.
Lansbury, R.D., 2021. Workplace reform: a new social contract for Australia. Asia Pacific Journal
of Human Resources, 59(4), pp.541-553.
Okorie, V.N. and Musonda, I., 2020. An investigation on supervisor’s ability and competency to
conduct construction site health and safety induction training in Nigeria. International
Journal of Construction Management, 20(5), pp.357-366.
Patel, T., Suthar, V. and Bhatt, N., 2021. Application of remotely piloted unmanned aerial
vehicle in construction management. In Recent Trends in Civil Engineering (pp.
319329). Springer, Singapore.

Shanbari, H. and Issa, R.R., 2019. Use of video games to enhance construction management
education. International Journal of Construction Management, 19(3), pp.206-221.

APPENDIX
Illustration 4: Mapping of the route in Westconnex, 2022
Illustration 5: Overview of the road route in Westconnex, 2022

Illustration 6: Westconnex tunneling, 2022