About Tunnelwell

It all started with an idea…

Tunnelwell® founder Michael Wynne is a hydraulic engineer and plumber of 40+ yrs experience. As a designer and installer of stormwater storage systems he was continually frustrated by the lack of robust products available in the market which would meet the long-term performance lifecycle that infrastructure owners have every right to expect. So, he decided to do something about it.

Tunnelwell® is the result; a unique concept for infiltration of rainwater runoff or effluent disposal into the natural soil with efficient long-term performance.

Michael Wynne conceived the technology in June 2009. Patents were lodged and the technology was then proven theoretically and in 2012 design configurations evolved. The prototypes were made in 2015 and physical testing was completed in early 2016.

The Journey

“Great things in business are never done by one person, They are done by a team of people” - Steve Jobs

The Tunnelwell journey has been the efforts of a great team.

Michael White – White Label Productions – conceptual designer (Sydney)
Cardno – Structural Loading Engineers (Sydney)
David Beneke Consulting (DBC) – Structural Design Engineer; Test Engineer (Sydney)
Leap Australia – Finite Element Analysis (FEA); 3D CAD Modelling – Dr Peter Brand (Sydney)
Galt Geotechnics – Soil types (Perth)
JDA Consultant Hydrologists - Hydrology (Perth)

Intellectual Property

The Tunnelwell® design has been recognised for its novelty with granted patents in the USA, Australia, China and South Africa. which cover broadly the inserted and integrated “louvre” openings in the side walls of the Tunnelwell® Arch Systems which obviate the need for geotextile fabrics.

The patents are comprehensive providing an exclusive market opportunity for the Company up to 2038.

Testing & Certification

Tunnelwell® has been fully tested by both computer modelling and physical testing. The product is structurally certified to AS 5100.2-2017 – Bridge Design; AS/NZS 1170.0-2002 Structural design actions, Part 0: General principles; AS/NZS 1170.1-2002 Structural design actions, Part 1: Permanent, imposed and other actions.

Awards

Tunnelwell® has been recognised not just for its innovative design, but for the benefits it enables for Water Senstive Urban Design. In 2020, Tunnelwell® received the Stormwater Association of Western Australia award for excellence in Research and Innovation. Tunnelwell was a finalist at the 2021 Stormwater Australia national conference in the same category.

Manufacturing

The Tunnelwell® arch is a roto-moulded product. It is manufactured in Wangara, Western Australia on 2 x state of the art Reinhardt roto-moulding machines. The facility dedicated to the manufacture of Tunnelwell® Arch Systems.

Tunnelwell® is proudly Australian Made and Owned.

Future Developments

Tunnelwell® has collaborated with Professor Russel Varley at Deakin University in understanding the materials science of polyethylene and its application to the Tunnelwell® arch system. Deakin University will continue to play a lead role in developing sustainable materials for Tunnelwell products currently in development.

Global Commercialisation

Tunnelwell® is in discussions with potential partners for overseas manufacturing and distribution rights. If your company is interested in Tunnelwell® we would love to hear from you.