The Beach-to-Beach Shared Path is one of the most significant active transport and community connectivity projects in the Camden Haven region. Designed to span 11 kilometres between the North Haven breakwall and Pilot Beach, the pathway will provide a continuous, off-road route linking the townships of North Haven, Laurieton, and Dunbogan.
CHALLENGES AND Solutions
1. Intertidal Zone Complexity
The boardwalk alignment traverses an intertidal zone subject to daily tidal fluctuations, occasional storm surges, and seasonal flooding.
• DM Composites conducted a detailed topographic survey to map elevation changes and identify low-lying, flood-prone areas.
• Tidal data and local weather patterns were analysed to predict water levels during construction and throughout the boardwalk’s lifespan.
• Structural design incorporated resilience against saltwater immersion, debris impact, and dynamic tidal forces.
2. Foundation Design & Piling
FRP piles were chosen for their corrosion resistance and light handling weight, allowing efficient installation by the piling contractor.
• DM Composites designed a custom plate connection system to join FRP SHS piles to FRP bearers.
• This plate system allowed site tolerance adjustment, post orientation flexibility, and faster installation in challenging tidal windows.
3. Durability & Compliance
The boardwalk was designed and certified by a registered structural engineer, with full compliance to:
• AS 5100 – Bridge Design (pedestrian loading requirements)
• Austroads Guide to Road Design – Part 6A (handrail terminations and safety compliance)
• AS/NZS 1170 – Structural design actions
