Citiport Business Park

A.G. Coombs Projects was engaged by The GPT Group as head contractor, to undertake a HVAC and mechanical services plant and equipment replacement.

The replacement saw the existing 23 rooftop packaged air conditioner (PAC) units removed and replaced with 21 new, more energy efficient units.

Following a thorough design review process, and a subsequent detailed review of the site the GPT Project team and A.G. Coombs looked at other options to install the equipment with a solution of a helicopter being used for the lifting of equipment, instead of a large mobile crane. The use of a crane would have required strengthening of the car park roof and slab, and would have caused disruption to the tenant’s car park, which was required to remain in use throughout the entire replacement process.

The use of a helicopter demanded a sophisticated coordination process, including coordination of the surrounding Port Melbourne offices and factories within a 500m radius, aviation and council permits, and traffic management of the surrounding streets. Additionally, numerous lifts, which could have taken several days if a crane was used, had to be undertaken in just a few hours, on one day. Planning of the sequencing was developed over several weeks and, prior to the nominated lifting day, the dedicated A.G. Coombs site manager spent a week on-site coordinating pre-lift arrangements, including reconfiguring warehouse space, to assist with the lifting sequence.

During the disconnection of electrical, controls and ductwork, the rain was so heavy that the A.G. Coombs site manager set up a marquee so that works could continue safely in a weatherproof environment. The challenging weather continued across all rooftop works, but the project was completed as planned.