Long Oral Presentation 12th Australian Streams Management Conference 2026

A (not so) beginners guide to waterway rock installation (138592)

Elsa Burnell 1 , Nicholas Kerr 2 , Greg Peters 3 , Penny Rogers 2
  1. West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA), VIC
  2. Service Enablement – Healthy Waterways , Melbourne Water, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. Riverness, Torquay, VIC, Australia
  • Although engineering interventions are not the preferred option for waterway management, there are situations where structural solutions - such as rock chutes and rock beaching - are the only viable means to protect assets or manage geomorphic risks.
  • When rockwork is required, the performance of these structures depends not only on rigorous engineering design but also on correct installation. Many failures of rock structures can be attributed to poor installation and finishing techniques rather than design deficiencies. Historically, installation has often relied on the knowledge of experienced field staff and contractors. As this knowledge is rarely documented, it becomes vulnerable to workforce turnover and retirement.
  • This project aimed to capture, consolidate and formalise that practical expertise to ensure Melbourne Water’s rock installations align with industry best practice and deliver strong geomorphic and environmental outcomes.
  • Key project stages included: (1) Reviewing Melbourne Water’s current standard drawings and installation practices; (2) Establishing best practice installation techniques through expert interviews and a review of available literature (noting that most literature focuses on design rather than installation); and (3) Developing installation guidelines and updated standard drawings for rock beaching and rock chutes.
  • The resulting guidelines represent the first known attempt to document installation knowledge traditionally held only by experienced practitioners.
  • The guidelines and drawings will support more consistent and robust waterway rockwork installation across Melbourne Water’s region and provide a valuable best practice resource for waterway practitioners across Victoria.