SECTION 7 - COST ESTIMATES

7.1 Typical Construction Rates

Obviously some areas/segments of the trail will vary in terms of what elements of the construction process will be required. For example, some segments of the former railway corridor will require fencing (or re-fencing) one or both sides of the corridor (to satisfy adjoining landowners who require it), while in other segments of the corridor little or no fencing will be required. Much of the fencing is already in place anyway. Similarly, clearing of vegetation from the trail corridor, and removal of rubbish and weeds will be much simpler in some segments, and much more difficult in others.

• Fencing: * see Note 1
  • New: $7.00/metre
• Trail construction (see process below). Construction includes vegetation clearing/grading/shaping trail alignment (inc. materials, machinery & labour): $15-20/metre
• Bridges: * see Note 2
  • Re-decking * ($1,000/m)
  • Safety railings: $70/metre
• Boardwalks (3.0m wide; no handrails): $900/m
• Trailhead: $5,000 - $10,000 (gravelling of parking area; trailhead signage and information, map, code of conduct, etc); interpretive panel; picnic table; bike parking; perhaps a composting toilet, etc) - depends on extent of existing development
• Weed / rubbish removal: $1/m
• Revegetation/screening: $0.50/m
• Drainage: $0.50/metre (where required, such as in cuttings)
• Engineers Assessment: $1000/bridge

(Note: all distances are linear metres)

7.2 The Trail Construction Process

The major issue involved in developing the trail, from a construction point of view, is the clearing of the trail corridor through the thickly vegetated regrowth on the railway formation. The process that follows may be confronting to many in the community, as it describes a process using heavy machinery to clear a swathe through the vegetated corridor. The clearing at first may seem excessive, but following construction will soften as edges close in, leaf litter falls and side-vegetation grows back. The use of a small bulldozer is the most efficient - and cheapest - method for clearing the trail corridor to permit construction of the trail.

An option may be to use more hand tools and smaller machinery, which will take more time, cost more money and result in a need for more active and on-going maintenance. The photo on this page illustrates the trail corridor of the Denmark- Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail - constructed through vegetation very similar to the vegetated corridor along Lower Denmark Road. The end result of that trail construction process was a trail approximately 2.5 - 3 metres wide, in a trail corridor of around 4 metres wide. It is a pleasant, intimate experience.

Step 1 - Use small bulldozer to travel along formation to knock down any trees and all substantial vegetation growing on the formation (a trail corridor width of 3.5 - 4.0 metres wide). Bulldozer is to clear all vegetation from the trail corridor. It is assumed dozer can perform task to accomplish 2km per hour and make 1 pass along formation. All vegetation is to be removed from the rail-trail corridor and transported off-site to an authorised dump location.

Step 2 - Use front-end loader with grab bucket to travel along formation to rake up any sleepers remaining on the formation. (It is evident that most sleepers have previously been removed from the formation). Sleepers are to be grabbed in bundles and dumped to side of formation for later collection and removal). It is assumed loader can perform task to accomplish 2km per hour.

Step 3 - Use skid-steer loader, with forks, to push sleepers and all vegetation removed from formation into piles, and then later to lift on to truck for removal from site. Skid-steer loader can also be used to tidy up edges of formation ready for grading. It is assumed skid-steer loader can perform task to accomplish 4km per hour.

Step 4 - Use truck to transport vegetation and sleepers removed from formation to rubbish tip. It is assumed truck will be utilised at rate of 2 hours per kilometre.

Step 5 - Truck in required gravel for re-surfacing of the formation (where required). Imported gravel should be certified dieback free. Dump gravel in stockpiles (at each road/driveway crossing) or, where and when possible, use trucks to distribute imported gravel along trail route. Use skid-steer loader to distribute gravel from stockpiles along trail.

Step 6 - Use grader to travel along formation to grade any remaining gravel from both sides back onto formation. Grader to spread dumped gravel along trail. Grade one side first, then other, and finally a third pass to flatten and crown the gravel. It is assumed grader can perform task to accomplish 3km per hour, and make 3 passes along formation.

Step 7 - Use compacting road roller (with water tanker if being done in dry weather conditions) to compact and form up the trail surface. 3 runs along gravel probably necessary to create crowned trail surface, free of gravel bunds at edge. It is assumed roller can perform task to accomplish 5km per hour, and make 3 passes along formation.

7.3 Section and Interpretation Costs

Interpretation Costs

	Size	Style	Hardware and other costs	Labour (installation) costs	Total
Trail-head sign, including map (Torbay)	800mm x 600mm	Etched anodised aluminium	$2,190	$60	$2,250
Trail-head sign, including map (Elleker)	800mm x 600mm	Etched anodised aluminium	$2,190	$60	$2,250
Species identification signs (10 of)	300mm x 200mm	Digital colour	$580 ea	$60 ea	$6,400
5 interpretive panels	600mm x 350mm	Digital colour	$1,730 ea	$60 ea	$8,950
Sub-total					$19,850
10% GST					$1,985
Total (incl. 10% GST)					$21,835

Summary of Costs (GST exclusive; project management and contingency included)

Section 1: Elleker Hall to Lower Denmark Road crossing (east)	$79,425
Section 2: Lower Denmark Road crossing (east) to Wilgie Road	$155,687
Section 3: Wilgie Road (to gate)	$6,636
Section 4: Wilgie Road (gate) to Lower Denmark Road crossing (west)	$137,034
Section 5: Lower Denmark Road crossing (west) to Torbay Hall	$9,970
Interpretation Costs	$19,850
Total (excluding GST)	$408,602

NOTE 1: Fencing prices are general farming fence rates. It is should be noted that fencing is an issue that requires resolution during the consultation phase if/when trail is to be constructed. This cost can be avoided if decision taken not to re-fence the corridor.

NOTE 2: Bridge re-decking and/or reconstruction cost estimates include an allowance for decking timber and kerbing, abutment repairs, fixings, transport, site works, work in difficult conditions and in elevated situations and a contingency for unforeseen works. Bridges in some locations will need to carry the weight of fire fighting equipment, while in other locations shared use of bridges will require special consideration in the design and upgrading.

NOTE 3: These broad cost estimates are based on contractors' rates. Costs can be considerably reduced through use of in-kind contributions from Council, use of volunteers for various tasks, use of prison crews (for construction tasks), etc.

NOTE 4: These cost estimates are based on recent relevant construction costs from other trail projects. Real-life costs will depend on a number of factors, including the state of the economy, the extent of 'advertising' of construction tenders, the availability and competitiveness of contractors, the rise and fall in materials costs, the choice of materials used in construction and final design details. Tenders submitted by construction contractors may vary significantly from the estimated costs in the tables contained within this report.