Murwillumbah Rowing Club – Recreating a Sustainable Boat Ramp Using FRP
About the Project:
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club Boat Ramp Restoration is a community-driven infrastructure revitalization project addressing severe erosion damage from the 2022 Tweed River floods. Designed and constructed by Grating FRP Australia, the project features a 24m x 9m skid ramp created with FRP pultruded structural members and non-slip mini mesh grating.
The solution restores safe, continuous access to the Tweed River at all tides for rowing, dragon boating, and similar activities. Engineered for a 25-55-year design life, the ramp integrates corrosion-resistant, maintenance-light materials. The platform includes two 2.5m-wide lead-on ramps, 29 marine-grade timber piles, and structural innovations to withstand 1-in-100-year flood events with 2.5 m/s flow.
Environmental management, UV protection coatings, and grit-treated surfaces ensure functionality and longevity with minimal ecological impact. The project has had a strong focus on sustainable innovation, marine safety, and community resilience in infrastructure.
Who did this project benefit and what impact has it had?
Rebuilding more than a structure, we helped to rebuild a community who had experienced a repeat devastation of Natural Disasters.
This project was completed for the Murwillumbah Rowing Club, formerly known as the Tweed River Rowing Club – a historic and community-driven sporting organisation from New South Wales, established in 1902. They are built on a foundation of local passion for recreational water sports – where the club brings together individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds, united by a love for rowing and community spirit.
The club is well recognised for its growing impact in Australian rowing and sportsmanship – so much so, the club gained State Government support in 1999-2000 to establish a purpose-built clubhouse – which seen the club proudly become the training course for the Sydney Year 2000 Olympic rowing team, boasting a full 2000m Olympic-standard course along the scenic Tweed River.
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club’s core values include inclusivity, safety, and local engagement. It caters to all levels of rowing, from social through to competitive – with offerings like dedicated “Learn to Row” programs for youth, schools, and seniors – fostering essential skills in water safety, teamwork, and community belonging.
However, the club’s resilience has been tested repeatedly. Having endured multiple flooding events, the community has continually rebuilt – demonstrating unwavering dedication to preserving its vital role in local life. Most recently, the devastating 2022 flood (peaking at 6.5m) resulted in major embankment erosion and total loss of river access. As a declared natural disaster, the event halted operations and posed a severe threat to the club’s viability.
In response, Murwillumbah Rowing Club, with the support of the Tweed Shire Council and a NSW Government ECSAP grant, committed to restoring access through a sustainable, safe, and flood-resilient launching ramp. Their vision extended beyond function – to creating lasting infrastructure that would safeguard the club’s legacy, encourage participation, and support long-term community growth.
The club stands as a resilient, respected, and vital institution – valued not just for sport, but for its social, cultural, and economic contributions to the wider Tweed region.
Photos of the flood devastations over the years still struggle to convey the devastating impact the natural disasters had on the wider community and club itself. Photos here are a recent March 2025 flood.
Videos Sourced from Offtopic Youtube Channel.
What did this community need to resolve the problem?
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club required a complete design and construction of a durable, accessible skid ramp for launching the rowing and dragon boats from the club’s site. The outline followed:
- The ramp needed to extend over the existing rock revetment into the Tweed River and provide safe access at all tidal levels.
- It had to be flood-resilient, constructed with marine-suitable materials, and meet standards for safety, usability, and structural performance.
- Design objectives included a non-slip surface, ease of long-term maintenance, minimal environmental impact, and options for phased construction depending on approvals.
- The ramp needed to withstand a 1:100-year flood event and 2.5 m/s water flow, while supporting continuous access for athletes and community events year-round.
What challenges did Grating FRP Australia have to work with to meet the objective?
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club Boat Ramp project presented several complex challenges in achieving its sustainability goals, largely due to its sensitive riverside location, climatic exposure, and stakeholder expectations.
1. Environmental Sensitivity and Regulatory Compliance
- The ramp was constructed in a tidal Crown Land waterway with known flood history, requiring strict adherence to environmental safeguards outlined in the Review of Environmental Factors (REF). Meeting Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 involved managing sediment drift, minimising turbidity, and implementing marine-safe construction techniques – such as bunded floatation barriers, predrilling for piles, and working within approved seasonal windows.
2. Balancing Cost vs. Sustainable Materials
- Sourcing FRP pultruded structural materials, stainless steel fixings, and H6 F27-grade timber piles presented a cost challenge. While these materials offered superior durability and lower lifecycle impact, their upfront costs exceeded conventional steel alternatives. The client and delivery team had to prioritise long-term environmental value over short-term financial constraints.
3. Site Access and Construction Logistics
- Much of the pile installation had to be performed from the riverbank or temporary platforms, limiting access for machinery and increasing the need for precision-based, low-impact methods. To protect the existing rock revetment, the design had to be adjusted to minimise excavation and structural intrusion, preserving the river’s edge.
4. Designing for Extreme Weather and Flood Resilience
- The ramp was required to withstand 2.5 m/s river flow and a 1-in-100-year flood event. This necessitated a more robust substructure, increased piling frequency, and material coatings capable of resisting erosion, UV degradation, and saltwater corrosion – all while maintaining a modular, repairable design for long-term sustainability.
5. Community Expectation and Longevity
- Following repeated rebuilds after historic floods, the community expected this solution to be the last. As a result, durability, resilience, and low-maintenance design became inseparable from the project’s sustainability goals.
How did Grating FRP Australia re-enforce sustainability into the boat ramps rebuild?
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club Boat Ramp project incorporated several high-performance, sustainable products designed to reduce environmental impact, extend service life, and minimise long-term maintenance.
1. Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Pultruded Structural Members:
- Used extensively throughout the ramp’s subframe and supporting structure, FRP was selected for its durability, corrosion resistance, and lightweight properties. Constructed using isophthalic resin with UV inhibitors and a polyurethane topcoat, these profiles are virtually maintenance-free and designed to resist saltwater corrosion, erosion, and chemical exposure. Their extended lifespan reduces resource consumption over time.
2. FRP Mini Mesh Grating:
- Manufactured with fine-grade, barefoot-friendly grit, this 30mm thick grating provides a slip-resistant, low-maintenance walking surface. The open grid (12mm x 12mm apertures) promotes water flow, reducing stormwater pooling and limiting surface degradation. Made using non-toxic resin systems.
3. H6 Treated F27 Hardwood Timber Piles:
- A renewable, sustainably sourced timber material was selected for its structural integrity (400kN working load) and marine suitability. With a 25-year design life, these piles eliminate the need for steel or concrete alternatives, reducing carbon footprint. They also require no ongoing maintenance, minimising chemical use or coatings during their lifecycle.
4. 316 Stainless Steel Mechanical Fixings and Clips:
- All fixings, including Type M grating clips and cap screws, are marine-grade stainless steel – chosen for corrosion resistance, reducing the need for replacements and limiting material waste over time.
5. Polyurethane UV Surface Coating:
- Applied to FRP members with a 60% contrast tint, this wear-indicator coating visually signals when maintenance is needed. This approach prevents full replacements, supports spot-treatment, and prolongs structural integrity.
Collectively, these products ensure longevity, reduce lifecycle costs, and align with sustainable construction principles by prioritising material durability, low maintenance, and environmental compatibility.
How did Grating FRP Australia and the project collaborators meet the required standards and regulations for this structure?
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club Boat Ramp project was designed and constructed in full compliance with a broad set of Australian standards and environmental regulations, with many criteria met or exceeded to ensure durability, safety, and environmental stewardship.
Structural & Engineering Standards
- AS1657:2018 – Fixed platforms, walkways, stairs and ladders: The deck and access ramps were designed to meet safety standards for walkability and fall prevention, including compliant slope and gritted non-slip surfaces.
- AS1170 – Structural Design Actions: The structure accommodates a live load rating of 3.7 kPa, with a safety factor of 2.0, exceeding minimum threshold requirements.
- AS2159 – Piling – Design and Installation: Timber marine piles were embedded 3.5–8.0m to exceed load and environmental conditions, designed to withstand >400kN.
- AS1720.1 – Timber Structures – Design Methods: Used in assessing the strength and durability of F27-grade H6-treated hardwood piles for marine exposure.
- AS3990 – Mechanical Equipment – Steelwork Design: Used for first-principles engineering analysis of structural components and connections.
- ASTM E84 – Tunnel Test for Surface Burning Characteristics: Isophthalic resins used in FRP grating comply with fire rating ≤25.
Slip & Surface Safety Standards:
- AS/NZS 4586:2013 – Slip Resistance Classification: The FRP mini mesh grating achieved classifications of W (Pendulum) and R11 (Ramp) for wet external surfaces.
Environmental and Planning Regulations
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) – REF approval process (Part 5) confirmed the project posed no significant environmental risk.
- NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994 – Notification obligations for riverbed works (piling) were observed.
- Transport & Infrastructure SEPP 2021 – Applied to works over navigable waters.
- BCA 2016 (Amendment 1) – Overall compliance with applicable building code provisions.
What considerations did Grating FRP Australia and the project collaborators implement to increase sustainability of the project through modification?
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club Boat Ramp Restoration project prioritised sustainability not only through material selection but also by modifying existing product applications and refining the design to reduce environmental impact, lifecycle costs, and resource use.
1. Modified Use of FRP Structural Members with Polyurethane Wear Indicators
- Standard FRP structural profiles were enhanced with a polyurethane surface coating tinted to 60% contrast from the base colour, serving as a visual wear indicator. This innovation allows for early detection of erosion or blooming, enabling targeted maintenance and resurfacing, rather than full replacement. This adaptation significantly reduces material waste and extends the product’s usable life by an additional 6-12 months per maintenance cycle.
2. Modular Design for Low-Impact Repairability
- Rather than a monolithic structure, the ramp was built with modular mini-mesh grating panels and pultruded FRP members. These were modified to fit a demountable system, enabling individual component replacement in case of damage from floods or usage. This design modification avoids full platform overhauls, conserving materials and labour over time.
3. Slope and Span Optimisation
- To reduce the number of support piles (thereby minimising riverbed disturbance), the design was adjusted to optimise the spacing of header beams and joists, within the constraints of AS1170 and AS2159. This reduced the overall material requirement while still maintaining flood resilience and load performance.
4. Adjusted Installation Strategy to Avoid Additional Revetment Works
- By adapting the ramp layout to utilise the existing rock revetment with minimal alteration, the need for further hardscaping or riprap extension was avoided – preserving the riverbank ecosystem and reducing carbon inputs associated with earthworks and rock transport.
These strategic modifications exemplify how product intelligence and design refinement can meaningfully improve sustainability outcomes in infrastructure delivery.
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club Boat Ramp was designed with long-term sustainability and resilience at its core, utilising durable, low-impact materials and engineering choices that reduce lifecycle costs and environmental degradation.
6. Use of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Materials
- The ramp features FRP pultruded structural members and mini mesh grating, selected for their lightweight strength, corrosion resistance, and long service life. FRP offers a lifespan up to 100 years depending on exposure, far exceeding the longevity of steel or timber in marine environments. This reduces the need for frequent material replacement, conserving resources and reducing waste.
7. Energy-Efficient Manufacturing & Low Embodied Carbon
- The production of FRP involves 80-90% less energy than traditional steel manufacturing. By incorporating FRP into the ramp’s superstructure, the project significantly reduced its embodied carbon footprint – a critical sustainability gain.
8. Maintenance-Reducing Wear Indicator Coating
- All FRP elements were coated with a polyurethane wear layer, colour-tinted to 60% contrast from the base. This visual cue alert maintains to surface erosion, allowing targeted spot-repair rather than full replacement, further reducing environmental and material impact.
9. Modular Design and Demountable Components
- The modular grating system allows for quick replacement of damaged panels, ensuring long-term structural integrity with minimal material use and disruption.
10. Resilience in Flood-Prone Environment
- Designed for 1-in-100-year flood events and 2.5 m/s flow velocity, the ramp includes heavy-duty header beams and closely spaced piles, protecting it from severe weather damage and avoiding future rebuilds.
11. Zero Toxic Leachate & UV-Stabilised Surface
- The FRP used is chemically inert, produces no toxic leachate, and is UV-resistant – ensuring a stable, safe structure even under prolonged environmental exposure.
What has Grating FRP Australia learnt from this project?
This project challenged our assumptions about what sustainability looks like when designing in a high-risk, high-wear environment – teaching us that real sustainability isn’t just about material selection, but about foresight, flexibility, and local engagement.
- We learnt the value of building “for failure”, not just for longevity. Designing modular FRP panels and splice-joined structural components gave us insight into how partial removability can significantly reduce environmental waste post-disaster. In a flood-prone environment, this became more relevant than theoretical lifespans – because durability is only one part of resilience.
- We also saw how visual wear indicators, when integrated into surface coatings, actively support sustainable maintenance. It shifted our view from reactive to proactive asset care. Having contrasting polyurethane layers on grating surfaces enabled early-stage repair before degradation became irreversible – minimising full component replacement and service interruptions. We now view colour as a sustainability tool, not just a design choice.
- Another insight came from stakeholder interaction. The community’s repeated rebuild efforts over decades helped us understand the psychological and cultural dimensions of sustainability. It reinforced that sustainable design also means emotional durability – creating infrastructure people trust and rally around, reducing future abandonment and ad hoc fixes.
- We also recognised how over-engineering isn’t wasteful when it replaces cycles of demolition. By increasing pile spacing density and reinforcing joints, we designed for actual conditions, not theoretical ones. The extra upfront investment created an asset that won’t contribute to landfill after the next flood.
- Lastly, designing within ecological permits taught us to treat approvals as creative constraints, not roadblocks. We explored alternative pile driving techniques and product handling strategies that will now be standard in all future riverine or sensitive marine builds.
This project didn’t just tick boxes – it reframed how we approach sustainability as a lived, evolving practice.
How has the community responded to the project?
We've had honorable mentions in parliament from this project:
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