December 8, 2017 in News
One with the lot - Quarantine facilities use serious ki...
In the December edition of the AIRAH Ecolibrium magazine Sean McGowan takes a closer look at the country’s flagship quarantine control facility.
October 25, 2014
A.G. Coombs Projects has been appointed by Managing Contractor, Leighton Contractors, to deliver mechanical and HVAC services to the first three stages of the new post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria.
Government operated PEQ facilities manage high-risk imported animal and plant commodities and are a key component of Australia’s biosecurity system. Secure and efficient post-entry quarantine reduces biosecurity risk associated with the importation of new genetic material which is necessary for Australian agriculture to maintain competiveness and productivity.
The completed PEQ facility will consolidate the existing post-entry quarantine operations that are currently situated in other parts of Australia into one site. The facility will include a plant compound, a ruminants compound (alpaca), and various bird, bee and other animal areas including cats, dogs and horses. Stages one to three of the development will incorporate all compounds excluding ruminants and avian buildings.
The site will also feature specialist QC2 and QC3 laboratories used for testing of imported biological material. Key technical challenges for A.G. Coombs will be around the assurance of pressure hierarchies, cleanliness and correct temperature and humidity control to support safe and accurate operations.
Leighton Constructions’ Senior Project Engineer on the PEQ project, Andrew Rooney, stated that “The Department of Agriculture has comprehensively planned for Australia’s long-term future PEQ needs by combining its existing PEQ facilities into one complete facility. Leighton Contractors is pleased to be working with the Department in delivering this exciting new project, and we are confident in A.G. Coombs’ ability to deliver the specialist mechanical and HVAC systems and services required for this large, complex site.”
It is anticipated that staged operations will commence at the facility from late 2015. The facility will be fully operational by the end of 2018.
For more information on A.G. Coombs Projects’ building services capabilities, please contact us.
A map highlighting the location of the future Post-Entry Quarantine Facility (as shown in red)
