Maroubra Beach
Sydney
The SMAP cable will improve connectivity for Sydney. The state will also directly benefit with new digital infrastructure, and further enhance the connectivity of the country as a whole.
What is a submarine Cable?
A submarine (or subsea) cable is usually laid on the ocean floor but, depending on the terrain and geographical risk, may sometimes be buried beneath the ocean floor.
There are many types of submarine cables, each supporting different applications. The most common types of subsea cables are used for communications, power, or research. The landing infrastructure works to be carried out at Broadarrow reserve is to support a new subsea cable to be used for communications.
Why are they important
— Internet connectivity is an essential service. —
Subsea communication cables are used to facilitate today’s global communications including the internet. Many people believe the internet is driven by satellite communication when in fact it is submarine cables that provide the connectivity between the world’s continents and cities. Well over 95% of the world’s internet traffic and communications economy passed over submarine cables.
An interactive map showing the communications cables of the world can be found at: https://www.submarinecablemap.com/
What does this mean for your community
- SUBCO is building critical internet infrastructure. Subsea cables are about the size of a 50c piece and are critical for you to access services such as netflix, instagram and emails. This is all undergroud infrastructure.
- This cable will enhance Sydney surrounding areas with improved digital resilience and connectivity and this is a significant piece of infrastructure for our future
- Our ocean lead in process is not harmful to the environment or to locals and this happens every day around the country and people don’t notice due to the limited impact
- Maroubra has been chosen because it’s the least impact to the environment vs other surrounding beaches / landing points. This has been considered greatly as one of our core values for this project
- After the project is complete, Broadarrow reserve will look the same with no environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Submarine cable is very small in comparison to other undersea infrastructure and ocean outfall pipes. Horizontal directional drill size and conduit is 110mm with cable measuring between 17mm and 37mm in diameter or about the same as a common garden hose.
An assessment of their installation is currently underway to determine whether Ministerial approval and a formal Environmental Protection Assessment is required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Referral applications can be viewed on the Department of the Environment and Energy website found at http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/environment-assessments
As the works involve the installation of an underground pipe, no impact on marine life, including whales or their migratory patterns, is anticipated. Cable installation works to install the cable within the seabed involve ploughing cable to depth of 1m. The plough utilized for this activity cuts a 200mm wide slit and installs the cable in the same pass, width of the plough disturbance corridor is up to 5mts.
Marine Mammal observers are present at all times of the installation vessel to observe the offshore activities.
Offshore survey works have been completed – with on ground survey activities commenced at the reserve and ongoing over June – July 2024. Site works including Horizontal drilling activities are scheduled to be undertaken September 2024 – late February 2025, this includes the deployment of work site soundproof fencing, and preparation of the ground for drilling machinery. The work is expected to be completed within a 16 – 18-week period.
We have specifically planned our project to ensure residents and tourists are considered first around peak season and market days and we will work with users of reserve to minimise disruption during the activities.
A flyer will be distributed to the local community providing at least 48 hours in advance notice of the night equipment movement works.
Works will be conducted at Maroubra between July and the end of November and drilling operations will be conducted Monday to Sunday, 7am – 7pm. The protective soundproof fencing will remain in place during this period to ensure the safety of the public and protection of equipment and workplace inside.
There will be some initial interruptions to traffic as the drilling rig is being transported onto the site and installed. These works are being planned to minimise interruption as much as possible, however some interruption is unavoidable. The same will apply when the equipment is removed upon completion of the works.
Directional Boring offers significant environmental advantages over traditional cut and cover pipeline and utility installations. The technique is routinely used when conventional trenching or excavating is not practical or when minimal surface disturbance is required. We at will ensure that there is zero impact on the foreshore itself and out to sea. Conduit installation is planned to extend up to 1km offshore to achieve 15mt water depth.
The installation will make noise similar to any construction site. Temporary works compound has sound proofing installed around the outside fence to reduce machinery noise as much as possible, Hours of operation will be limited to normal working hours during the drilling activity over the 14-16 week period. The works location is located as far away from residents as possible on the reserve area itself.
The temporary works compound will take up an area of approximately 60m x 30m. The area will be fenced with sound proof matting and geofabric and or ground matting will be utilised in the compound to minimise ground disturbance from heavy machinery working in and accessing the worksite. The Beach manhole itself will require excavation of an area 4mt x 4mts by 2.5 depth to install the manhole underground.
Once the works are complete, the area will be fully reinstated and returfed. Beach manholes are installed below ground so nothing will be visible on the top of the ground itself.
SUBCO will provide notice of the works in print and digital media. Mailbox drops will also occur 48hrs prior to significant works activities for local community closest to the works. Highly visible signage will also be installed at the worksite area informing the local community and passersby of the upcoming works.
Once the works are complete, the area will be fully reinstated and returfed as necessary. Beach manholes are installed below ground so nothing will be visible on the top of the ground itself. There will be no visible permanent features.
When the cable is ready for installation in 2025 there will be a small work area re-established to haul the cable onshore from the ocean. No works on the surrounding reserve area are expected to be needed. Once the cable is pulled onshore, fastened and tested then the pit lids will be reinstalled. The works required to haul the cable onshore are not expected to go for longer than a few days.
The work is classified as low impact. The beach manholes are installed below ground so there will be no visible permanent features.
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