When bulk earthworks and staged demolition happen in a dense urban environment, “good enough” isn’t good enough. One missed variable can trigger delays, safety risks, and costly rework. This case study outlines how IdealCorp supported NASS Services on a complex demolition and construction project in Sydney’s CBD, delivering a safe, certified working platform and keeping the program on track.
1. Project Overview
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Client: NASS Services
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Location: Sydney CBD (Strathfield Council case study reference)
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Scope: Soil testing authority + bulk earthworks / remediation support
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Key Services: Geotechnical inspections, GPR scanning insights, verification testing, compaction testing, safe working platform certification
2. The Challenge: High-Risk Demolition and Construction in Sydney’s CBD
NASS Services faced a highly complex staged demolition and construction project in one of Australia’s most logistically challenging environments: Sydney’s CBD.
Key constraints included:
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Strict access limitations common to CBD sites
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Sensitive surrounding assets requiring controlled works and reduced vibration risk
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Tight timelines with no tolerance for rework
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Staged demolition to enable a high-value development, meaning each stage needed precision and certainty
With multiple stakeholders, limited working room, and high safety expectations, the project demanded a remediation and earthworks approach that could be verified at every step.
3. Our Approach: Bridging Lab Insight and On-Site Execution
IdealCorp partnered with NASS Services as both:
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Soil testing authority, and
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Earthworks specialist
This integrated approach reduced disconnects between geotechnical findings and site delivery. From day one, IdealCorp provided:
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Early-stage inspections and expert oversight
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Strategic guidance for earthmoving and piling readiness
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Equipment capability assessments to confirm practical constructability
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Advisory support to protect schedule and reduce risk
By aligning testing, verification, and execution under one coordinated plan, we helped remove uncertainty and keep works moving safely.
4. What We Found: Geotechnical Concerns That Required Immediate Remediation
Initial and follow-up inspections identified critical ground risks that could not be ignored:
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Ground highly susceptible to subsidence and settlement
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Multiple voids detected beneath existing slabs via GPR scanning
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Low bearing capacities across key working zones
These conditions created immediate concerns for both safety and structural performance. The only viable pathway forward was a detailed remediation plan with measurable verification built in.
5. The Solution: Engineered Remediation + Certified Safe Working Platforms
To bring the site to a safe, compliant condition, IdealCorp implemented a structured remediation strategy involving:
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Engineered void filling to eliminate subsurface instability
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Creation of certified safe working platforms to support plant and staged operations
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Layer-by-layer compaction testing to verify performance progressively (not just at the end)
This methodology ensured the site was not only “filled”, but verified and certified—crucial for CBD sites where failure points carry outsized consequences.
6. Customer-Focused Support: Clear Reporting and Real-Time Decision Making
Complex ground conditions evolve quickly, especially during demolition and early bulk earthworks. IdealCorp maintained proactive client support through:
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Clear communication and transparent reporting
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Ongoing site visits as conditions changed
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Real-time updates to support rapid decision-making
This kept NASS Services in control, allowing remedial actions to align with safety requirements and program milestones without hesitation.
7. The Execution: Rapid Mobilisation and Continuous Verification
IdealCorp mobilised rapidly to meet the site’s fast-moving demands. We oversaw and managed the complete remediation process, including:
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Controlled filling procedures
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Safe levelling and preparation for continued works
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Continuous verification testing and practical adjustments as site conditions evolved
The result was uninterrupted progress despite the complexity beneath the slab line.
8. The Outcome: Stabilised Ground, Certified Platforms, No Program Disruption
Despite significant geotechnical challenges, the project achieved its core objectives:
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Program maintained with no unexpected disruptions
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Site successfully stabilised and verified through testing
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Safe, certified working platform delivered for the next construction stage
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NASS Services moved forward with confidence, supported by IdealCorp’s responsiveness and end-to-end ground certainty
9. Why This Matters for Bulk Earthworks in Urban Sydney
This project highlights a key truth in bulk earthworks: ground risk is schedule risk. Combining inspections, GPR-informed findings, engineered remediation, and stepwise verification is what turns uncertainty into a buildable platform—especially in tight-access, high-stakes CBD environments.
