MEL04 is a state-of-the-art data centre located in Melbourne, designed to meet the growing demand for secure, reliable digital infrastructure. The facility provides significant power capacity to support critical data operations, ensuring high levels of performance and resilience for its users.
Multiworks was responsible for delivering the civil works for the substation at MEL04, including the construction of 3 transformer bays, fencing, foundations, stormwater drainage, and overground services. The project required an accelerated schedule, with the transformer bay completed within 10 weeks of commencement, allowing for the timely delivery of the transformer to begin commissioning.
Multiworks was engaged by Powercor to upgrade the perimeter fence at the Altona Zone Substation, a critical infrastructure facility. The existing fence, in poor condition, posed security risks, prompting the need for an upgrade to enhance safety and protect the substation from unauthorised access. This project involved substantial civil, electrical, and safety considerations, complicated by challenging site conditions and tight constraints.
SCOPE
- Removal of Existing Fence and Gates: Dismantling and removal of the old chain-link fence and gates, which were no longer providing adequate security.
- Installation of New Perimeter Fence: Installation of a new 235m long, 3.5m high 358 Weldmesh galvanised perimeter fence.
- Automated Entry Swing Gates and PA Gates: Installation of secure automated swing gates for vehicular entry, along with personnel access (PA) gates.
- HV and LV Conduit Installation: Installation of high-voltage and low-voltage conduits to support updated electrical systems and future-proof the site.
- Asphalt and Concrete Works: Construction of an asphalt entrance and a main concrete entrance slab to provide durable, safe points of access to the substation.
CHALLENGES
- Ground Water: High groundwater levels necessitated careful planning and mitigation measures to ensure safe excavation and construction processes.
- Rock: The abundance of rock on-site required extensive rock excavation, particularly near live services, which led to major redesigns.
- Live Services: Proximity to vital live electrical services added complexity to the excavation and installation work, requiring heightened safety precautions and continuous monitoring.
- Site Constraints: Limited space on-site impacted logistics and access for machinery and equipment, requiring creative solutions to maintain project efficiency.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Safety: The project was completed without any safety incidents, demonstrating Multiworks’ commitment to maintaining a safe working environment throughout the project lifecycle.
- Quality Assurance: No quality issues were reported, ensuring that all work met Powercor’s high standards and specifications.
- Timely Completion: Despite the challenging conditions, including the need for major redesigns, the project was completed on schedule, meeting all deadlines and exceeding client expectations.
M2 Melbourne is a Tier IV certified data centre situated in Tullamarine, conveniently located near major transport and telecommunications infrastructure. Boasting 60MW of power capacity, M2 provides organizations with unparalleled levels of resilience, reliability and inter-connectivity.
Multiworks were responsible for the construction of the Datacentre Substation, involving all associated transformer bays, fencing, foundations, stormwater drainage and underground services.
Adding to the complexity of the project was the security requirements for entry, which are paramount at most Datacentres. Multiworks’ staff and all personel were responsible for ensuring no unauthorised entry to the site and adhered to stringent site rules.
The Narrabeen Substation Control building houses the live electrical switchgear and equipment that control the adjacent substation. As part of the upgrade of ageing assets, Multiworks was engaged directly by Ausgrid as Principal Contractor to replace the existing roof while maintaining the live operations of the substation and the electrical network. The works included: replacement of roof tiles with Colorbond sheets, installation of CFC sheets, replacement of gutters, installation of new downpipes, installation of earthing spires and installation of new anchor points.
Prior to commencement of the roof replacement works the Narrabeen Control Building was impacted by a storm causing leakage inside the Switch-rooms. Ausgrid engaged Multiworks to execute emergency works to stop the leakage. This required the roof replacement works to be brought forward and delivered within a significantly constrained time frame.
Multiworks effectively mobilised a skilled team including additional resources from interstate. Due to the poor condition of the existing roof, Multiworks made the entire control room building watertight through implementing anchor points and tarping. This provided a temporary shield around the whole building, eliminated any impacts due to poor weather and ensured the ongoing operation of the control room.
Multiworks delivered the project one month ahead of schedule, while also completing the Castle Cove Substation works.
Multiworks was responsible for the replacement of roof metal sheets with Colorbond sheets, replacement of gutters, installation of new downpipes, construction of stormwater inlets and installation of new anchor points. Multiworks delivered all scope while ensuring the ongoing operations of the live electrical substation.
A key challenge in the roof replacement works involved implementing appropriate physical protection over the existing Frequency Injection Units (FIUs). Due to the sensitivity of the assets and client requirement that only one FIU could be de-energised at a time, Multiworks developed and implemented a staged works program over the FIUs. Multiworks effectively planned and scheduled materials and resources to ensure protection over the unit while replacing the section of roof directly above. The protection was then stripped so that the FIUs could be re-energised.
Additionally, Multiworks developed an innovative ‘Rolling Scaffold’ within the substation that offered fall protection and acted as a physical barrier to ensure the substation equipment was not exposed to falling objects.
The Chullora Substation Control building houses the live electrical switchgear and equipment that controls the adjacent substation. As part of the upgrade of ageing assets, Multiworks was engaged as Principal Contractor directly by Ausgrid to replace the existing roof without any interruptions to the electricity network.
Works took place on the existing live control building, housing equipment for this 66kV Substation. Key scope involved ACM eave replacement, removal of roof tiles, installation of two layers of Compressed Fibre Cement sheets, installation of Colorbond sheets, reinstating existing gutters, installation of new downpipes and installation of new anchor points.
During the preliminary planning, it was noted that the height from the pitch of the roof to the soffit was greater than 0.8m. Due to the substantial height difference the existing anchor points could not be used as a means of fall arrest. As a result, Multiworks proposed and successfully implemented a construction methodology that provided a means of fall arrest utilising anchor wraps. The project achieved zero safety incidents.
As part of an ongoing maintenance program Citipower/Powercor is upgrading and structurally reinforcing many of its underground cable pits within Melbourne’s CBD.
Multiworks was engaged by Citipower/ Powercor to rectify the Exhibition Street pit following cracking and subsidence to its lid.
Upgrade works were complex due to the pit’s location within high density areas, their confined size and pre-existing structural issues.
The works were staged during shutdowns and involved crews operating 24 hours per day to access, reinforce and reinstall pit lids over a weekend period.
Multiworks’ effective collaboration with key stakeholders and Citipower/Powercor ensured the works were completed over the planned weekend shutdown period.
The security upgrade works at Bendigo Terminal Station included procurement, installation and commissioning of 1.2km of security fencing. The fence upgrade was complex due to the site’s multiple underground services beneath the boundary line.
Multiworks obtained all permits on time and ensured the works were executed without interruption to the electrical network. The project achieved zero safety incidents.
Multiworks was responsible for the design, procurement and installation of 700m of security fencing at the Mount Beauty Terminal Station. This involved the mobilisation of internal crews to undertake the installation of fencing and to establish the pit and pipework for future electrics. The fence upgrade works were complex due to the number of underground services beneath the substations’ boundary line. Multiworks obtained all permits in a timely manner and executed the works without interruption to the electrical network. The project achieved zero safety incidents.
Multiworks was engaged by Ausnet Services as Principal Contractor to replace non-compliant station security fences, signage and gates within zone substations at Moe, Ringwood, Warrigal, Sale, Nagambie and Watsonia.
Upgrade works involving these fences are inherently complex due to the existence of multiple underground services beneath the substation’s boundary line.
Multiworks obtained all permits in a timely manner to ensure the works were executed without interruption to the electrical network. Multiworks completed the works two months ahead of schedule and achieved zero safety incidents.
