This design and construct project was won as a hard money tender. The Rockhampton airport required a new Air Traffic Control Tower to better accommodate the growing traffic in and out of this busy regional city.
- Sector Aviation
- Client Airservices Australia
- Location Rockhampton QLD
- Value $7M
- Contract Design & Construct
The plans were for a five-level tilt-up concrete wall and floor structure including pre-fabricated steel-framed and glazed cabin section.
The most critical part of the works occurred first by determining what underground services were beneath the intended site. This was done utilising ground penetrating radar surveys and non-mechanical excavation with vacuum trucks to avoid any mistaken disruption to airport operations.
This facility was being built with a strength and design to withstand high level category disasters. The first test of this strength came early in 2011 with the Queensland floods creating an underwater construction site and consequently shutting down operations for three weeks. The structure remained unscathed and construction was able to continue once the water receded and the site was safe again.
The cabin was constructed on the ground and lifted to its final resting position via crane. While this process is normally done from position, due to the weight of the glass and the resulting low lift height, the programme could be accelerated and the risk of working at heights reduced by constructing the cabin on the ground.
The existing tower has remained in operation for the entire period of construction with project works including air-side and land-side operations throughout the programme.