CSR Well 46 Reconstruction

This is an exciting and challenging project to reconstruct Well 46 at the northern end of the Canning Stock Route. This well is located in a nice area surrounded by white gums, serviced with a Track Care installed toilet and is a great camping spot. The water in the well is very clean and is a vital source for all travellers on the CSR.

Sometime in 2023 the top section of the well was burnt out. Track Care made a temporary repair in 2024 by covering the well with the tray from a nearby wrecked ute and made further modification to the well in 2025 to make it more useable. This year we will make permanent repairs to restore the well completely.

This project is split into three parts.

1. Preconstruction of the well components in early May

2. The well repair. Depart June 3rd. This will involve excavating the existing area to create safe access. Installing the well liner and platform, trialling a new method of bolted together C-purlin then reassemble the windlass.

3. Maintenance run down the rest of the CSR.

The project will be lead in two in parts.
1. The well reconstruction by Rod Durston. Due to time constraints, I will only be able to do the first part of the project and will then return home with the trailer.

2. Maintenance run. I would like someone to lead, those that want to, south and do the standard maintenance for the rest of the CSR. This involves emptying the toilets, clearing vegetation around assets for fire protection, emptying donations boxes, pump out wells and recording various bits of information along the way. This is a very enjoyable part of the journey and gives you the opportunity to take in all that the CSR can offer.

Requirements

1. You need to be reasonably fit and can work in a hot environment.
2. Medically fit. Please consider your suitability if you have a severe medical condition that requires constant treatment or medication.
3. Your vehicle needs to be in A1 condition. Breakdowns do occur but most of this can be avoided with a thorough maintenance check on your car at lease 1 month prior to departure.
4. Tyres need to be Light Truck construction with 50% tread. Two spares are recommended. Highway grade tyres are NOT allowed.
5. You need to be self sufficient in food, water and fuel for 2 weeks. The trip to site will take about 5 days along major routes, camping by the roadside. Once on the CSR you will need fuel to cover 900km of off-road driving. Depending on your vehicle this will be around 150L of fuel.

Fuel stops on the CSR are (north to south)
Billiluna – Kunawarritji (Well 33) 700km
Kunawarritji – Parnngurr (Cotton Creek) 380km
Parnngurr – Wiluna 900km

6. Tools required. Your 4wd tool kit plus spares you normally take on a remote trip. A mattock (preferably) or shovel/rake for buffel grass removal. All tools for the construction and maintenance work will be provided.
7. I strongly suggest vehicle recovery insurance.

Duration
Last year’s  toilet build and maintenance run took 23 days and I think this project will be the same, but please allow extra days just in case of delays. Rain can play a big part in our departure time and can delay or cancel the project, so it’s good to be flexible in this regard. We will have a Starlink device.

Details about prefabrication and the trip meeting will be provided later. Please register your interest by booking a place. Assuming all goes to plan with this reconstruction, there will be an attempt to do Well 41 next year to get it up an running again and I’ll be looking for someone to lead that trip.