Kane Constructions is Head Contractor for the design and construction of the $12m Enhanced Land Force Stage 1 (Works Package 4) at RAAF Richmond in New South Wales.
Kane was awarded the job in June 2009 following a competitive tender with the project being procured by Department of Defence using HC-1 2003 Head Contract. GHD are the PMCA.
The Kane Project Team commenced design immediately and fast tracked construction with works commencing on site in August 2009.
The project involves refurbishment and new build to multiple facilities at various locations across the base including:
- 1CCS Refurbishment works
- 1CCS Ablutions Block
- 1CCS Workshop
- 1AOSS Yard extension, Warehouse and vehicle store
- 1AOSS Facilities Flight building remodelling 37 Squadron
- Building 213 refurbishment and remodelling
- Squadron Hangar 320 refurbishment and remodelling
Kane Constructions engages with three user stakeholder groups during both design and construction phases, and spends a lot of time interpreting user requirements, juggling budgets, dealing with Commonwealth authority approval and review agencies.
A further very important role includes management of the design consultants which include heritage, ICT, acoustic, security, ICT as well as architects, services and structural/civil, BCA and MFPE.
A major challenge is ensuring compliance with the MFPE, Security and HVAC requirements. This is particularly difficult given the age of many of the buildings (up to 60 years old) and the fact that most must remain fully operational throughout the construction phase. For example the remodelling and refurbishment of Building 213 includes:
- Acoustic treatment due to close proximity to an operating runway
- 4m high ceilings to accommodate an operational requirement to be able to rotate a fully inflated life raft
- Limiting of direct sunlight to workshop areas
- Provision of Crypto and DRN/DSN rooms which need to be concrete encased for security purposes HVAC system operating within specified limits of 23 degrees +/- 3 degrees and humidity throughout the entire building to be maintained at 55% +/-10%
Detailed planning and clear communication with all stakeholders has ensured that works on this logistically challenging project are well and truly on programme.
Kane Constructions currently has over $100m of contracts under construction with Department of Defence across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.