The mega structure has been rising from the ground since October last year, when Prime Minister Scott Morrison was onsite to witness the erection of the first steel for the new world-class facility.
The building now stands an incredible 70 metres high, with the recent addition of the 27 metre high bay structure which sits atop the expansive main roof. The 600-tonne structure, with a length of 130 metres and width of 40 metres, was securely lifted using hydraulic strand jacks and placed with incredible precision, with a mere 20mm clearance point in several areas.
“Placing the high bay structure presented the team with a significant challenge. It was a complex process that required meticulous planning and I congratulate and thank the team for their commitment and focus in achieving this momentous milestone on the project,” said James Fitzgerald, Executive Chairman.
The new building contains 20 overhead travelling cranes, with the central hall having an impressive 400 tonne lifting capacity. The 60 metre ocean-facing sliding doors are amongst the largest in the world, able to accommodate the transfer of vessels and large modularised structures. The facility has over 1.2 million cubic metres of internal space, which is equivalent to an area that could house 12,000 passenger buses. To date, approximately 4,900 tonnes of structural steel and 14,000 cubic metres of concrete have been used in the structure, with an estimated total of 5,100 tonnes of steel and 21,000m3 of concrete required for the entire build.
When complete, the facility will be amongst the most efficient and innovative in the world, delivering a new world-class resource to the Australian maritime landscape and significantly enhancing the capability of Civmec’s existing facilities available at the Australian Marine Complex in Western Australia. The 53,000m2 (usable floor area), 18-storey high facility will be the largest undercover modularisation and maintenance facility in Australia, with the capacity to house large vessels, including complete Air Warfare Destroyers, Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels, for construction or maintenance, as well as large integrated modules for the Energy and Resources sectors.
“Our substantial investment in this new facility, capable of handling any of Australia’s major projects across the Resources, Infrastructure and Defence sectors, is an integral element in securing the company’s long-term future. It is a significant piece of industrial infrastructure, and when fully operational will provide employment opportunities for up to an additional 1,000 Australians, including 100 new apprentices and trainees,” said Patrick Tallon, Chief Executive Officer.
