BE - Building Efficiency 2020-2021 by A.G. Coombs

2020-2021

Pandemic ready CSL’s Southern Aurora Sydney’s new arena Maintaining an icon Banking on data

Contents 04

Pandemic ready Fast-tracked St Vincent’s on the Park COVID-19 hospital

06

Delivering the modular solution Second stage of $3.2 billion

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

It has been an extraordinary period for the world

safely, efficiently and sustainably with our

I am very pleased to commend this year’s

and for the A.G. Coombs Group in our 75th Year.

specialist building services maintenance and

edition of Building Efficiency to you. This 75th

This edition of Building Efficiency highlights the

technical management.

Year edition shares the remarkable work of our

scope of innovative building services solutions

Group of Companies, and our teams in these

delivered in this extraordinarily challenging time.

A.G. Coombs continues to drive the digital

The outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic

off-site modular manufacture, installation, and

During this period A.G. Coombs has

saw the world thrown into disarray but during

commissioning. Our leading contribution to the

continued to lead the building services

this period the A.G. Coombs Group companies

BIM MEPAUS initiative and innovative Virtual

industry, embracing the challenges thrown

have worked closely with our clients, service

Buildings Information System® positions us at

up by COVID-19. Applying new methods and

providers and suppliers seeing us continue

the forefront of the industry. Integrated digital

technologies; continuing to deliver exceptional

to deliver our services safely and effectively.

asset management, analytics and optimised

service, quality, and outcomes that have driven

Our strong business infrastructure and resilient

maintenance systems are delivering significant

our Group’s success over those 75 years.

continuity plans ensuring that we operated

improvements in building system performance,

effectively and reliably.

increasing plant life cycles, and reducing

transformation of building services design, and

of industry leading COVID-safe work plans

greater than the sum of its parts.

Our highly experienced Advisory teams have

A.G. Coombs supports the spaces that

supporting our deep-seated goal to be incident and injury free wherever we work.

This period has seen the completion of a range of outstanding projects with our valued partners.

These include the fast-tracked St Vincent’s on the Park COVID-19 hospital in Melbourne, large commercial towers in the landmark Parramatta Square development, the extraordinary 6 Star Green Star rated Two Melbourne Quarter, the RAN School of Survivability & Ship Safety at HMAS Cerberus and key projects in data centres, transport infrastructure and higher education.

These facilities feature the latest in building services technologies and will serve their owners, occupants and the community well into the future.

We have many projects of note underway, including major underground rail infrastructure, large data centres, healthcare projects in metropolitan and regional areas, defence facility upgrades, a world leading stadium development

enhanced client project delivery, enabled improvements in facility asset performance, and provided leading building services advice during COVID-19.

commercial buildings, learning institutions,

We are a value’s driven organisation, and this has been fundamental in our performance

A.G. Coombs commitment to Diversity

this year. Our commitment to the health

and Inclusion as well as Reconciliation

and wellbeing of our people and to quality,

is fundamental; promoting awareness,

efficiency and sustainability have seen the best

understanding and change in our industry.

brought out in our people, and our industry.

partner Challenge is also ongoing.

The A.G. Coombs Group Board fully supports this commitment to values with a clear strategic vision for the time ahead, and a firm

Our strong values and culture have provided

focus on sound governance, prosperity and

confidence and guidance during this challenging

success over the long term.

period. These have been the cornerstones of our success for 75 years together with our talented people – our greatest strength and the Group’s clear point of difference.

We are proud of what we have achieved in the last 12 months and have strong plans for the future. Thank you for your support and

Looking to the future, the A.G. Coombs Group

unprecedented period. We look forward to a

facilities – together with many smaller but no

is well positioned with strong and resilient

positive future together.

less important specialist projects.

business infrastructure, a very solid pipeline of

Data centre infrastructure operations, hospitals, the national broadcaster, banking facilities, major commercial building portfolios, iconic

deliver outcomes of the highest standard for our valued clients.

cultural institutions, multiple universities, retail

Russell Telford

shopping centre portfolios, and State and Local

Managing Director

Government building portfolios have all operated

A.G. Coombs Group

02

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

09

Sydney’s new arena World-class sporting and entertainment destination

10

Maintaining an icon Harry Seidler’s MLC Centre

12

The COVID-19 journey Navigating a new kind of normal

12 15

20

Swinburne University upgrades campuses

Supporting ANZ Bank’s data centres

Campus comfort

Banking on data

16

Tournament ready Fire and life-safety support for the Australian Open

18

Keeping the Kangaroo flying Protecting Qantas assets

engagement during this challenging and

and large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing

work and respected relationships to continue to

06

telecommunications together with

community and cultural facilities.

causes and longstanding foundation charity

supply chain

and health facilities, data centres and

our clients reduce environmental impacts and

Our active support of community and charitable

Addition to global pharmaceutical

essential to our communities – hospitals

defence facilities, museums, and large-scale

changing climate remains a strong focus.

CSL’s Southern Aurora

provide value to our clients and have been

Sustainable business operations and helping improve the resilience of their businesses in a

08

Our contribution to the built environment is

operating costs and environmental impacts.

Our commitment to the health and well-being of our personnel led to the implementation

exceptional times.

Parramatta Square

Clive Weeks AO Chairman A.G. Coombs Group

14

Building business intelligence Empowering data

19

19

Building resilience Extraordinary 6 Star Green Star Two Melbourne Quarter

The A.G. Coombs Group acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders past and present and emerging.

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

03

Contents 04

Pandemic ready Fast-tracked St Vincent’s on the Park COVID-19 hospital

06

Delivering the modular solution Second stage of $3.2 billion

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

It has been an extraordinary period for the world

safely, efficiently and sustainably with our

I am very pleased to commend this year’s

and for the A.G. Coombs Group in our 75th Year.

specialist building services maintenance and

edition of Building Efficiency to you. This 75th

This edition of Building Efficiency highlights the

technical management.

Year edition shares the remarkable work of our

scope of innovative building services solutions

Group of Companies, and our teams in these

delivered in this extraordinarily challenging time.

A.G. Coombs continues to drive the digital

The outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic

off-site modular manufacture, installation, and

During this period A.G. Coombs has

saw the world thrown into disarray but during

commissioning. Our leading contribution to the

continued to lead the building services

this period the A.G. Coombs Group companies

BIM MEPAUS initiative and innovative Virtual

industry, embracing the challenges thrown

have worked closely with our clients, service

Buildings Information System® positions us at

up by COVID-19. Applying new methods and

providers and suppliers seeing us continue

the forefront of the industry. Integrated digital

technologies; continuing to deliver exceptional

to deliver our services safely and effectively.

asset management, analytics and optimised

service, quality, and outcomes that have driven

Our strong business infrastructure and resilient

maintenance systems are delivering significant

our Group’s success over those 75 years.

continuity plans ensuring that we operated

improvements in building system performance,

effectively and reliably.

increasing plant life cycles, and reducing

transformation of building services design, and

of industry leading COVID-safe work plans

greater than the sum of its parts.

Our highly experienced Advisory teams have

A.G. Coombs supports the spaces that

supporting our deep-seated goal to be incident and injury free wherever we work.

This period has seen the completion of a range of outstanding projects with our valued partners.

These include the fast-tracked St Vincent’s on the Park COVID-19 hospital in Melbourne, large commercial towers in the landmark Parramatta Square development, the extraordinary 6 Star Green Star rated Two Melbourne Quarter, the RAN School of Survivability & Ship Safety at HMAS Cerberus and key projects in data centres, transport infrastructure and higher education.

These facilities feature the latest in building services technologies and will serve their owners, occupants and the community well into the future.

We have many projects of note underway, including major underground rail infrastructure, large data centres, healthcare projects in metropolitan and regional areas, defence facility upgrades, a world leading stadium development

enhanced client project delivery, enabled improvements in facility asset performance, and provided leading building services advice during COVID-19.

commercial buildings, learning institutions,

We are a value’s driven organisation, and this has been fundamental in our performance

A.G. Coombs commitment to Diversity

this year. Our commitment to the health

and Inclusion as well as Reconciliation

and wellbeing of our people and to quality,

is fundamental; promoting awareness,

efficiency and sustainability have seen the best

understanding and change in our industry.

brought out in our people, and our industry.

partner Challenge is also ongoing.

The A.G. Coombs Group Board fully supports this commitment to values with a clear strategic vision for the time ahead, and a firm

Our strong values and culture have provided

focus on sound governance, prosperity and

confidence and guidance during this challenging

success over the long term.

period. These have been the cornerstones of our success for 75 years together with our talented people – our greatest strength and the Group’s clear point of difference.

We are proud of what we have achieved in the last 12 months and have strong plans for the future. Thank you for your support and

Looking to the future, the A.G. Coombs Group

unprecedented period. We look forward to a

facilities – together with many smaller but no

is well positioned with strong and resilient

positive future together.

less important specialist projects.

business infrastructure, a very solid pipeline of

Data centre infrastructure operations, hospitals, the national broadcaster, banking facilities, major commercial building portfolios, iconic

deliver outcomes of the highest standard for our valued clients.

cultural institutions, multiple universities, retail

Russell Telford

shopping centre portfolios, and State and Local

Managing Director

Government building portfolios have all operated

A.G. Coombs Group

02

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

09

Sydney’s new arena World-class sporting and entertainment destination

10

Maintaining an icon Harry Seidler’s MLC Centre

12

The COVID-19 journey Navigating a new kind of normal

12 15

20

Swinburne University upgrades campuses

Supporting ANZ Bank’s data centres

Campus comfort

Banking on data

16

Tournament ready Fire and life-safety support for the Australian Open

18

Keeping the Kangaroo flying Protecting Qantas assets

engagement during this challenging and

and large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing

work and respected relationships to continue to

06

telecommunications together with

community and cultural facilities.

causes and longstanding foundation charity

supply chain

and health facilities, data centres and

our clients reduce environmental impacts and

Our active support of community and charitable

Addition to global pharmaceutical

essential to our communities – hospitals

defence facilities, museums, and large-scale

changing climate remains a strong focus.

CSL’s Southern Aurora

provide value to our clients and have been

Sustainable business operations and helping improve the resilience of their businesses in a

08

Our contribution to the built environment is

operating costs and environmental impacts.

Our commitment to the health and well-being of our personnel led to the implementation

exceptional times.

Parramatta Square

Clive Weeks AO Chairman A.G. Coombs Group

14

Building business intelligence Empowering data

19

19

Building resilience Extraordinary 6 Star Green Star Two Melbourne Quarter

The A.G. Coombs Group acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders past and present and emerging.

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

03

“A.G. Coombs responded to the challenge with a high level of technical ability and experience to help ensure that Victorians continue to receive the very best healthcare through the recommissioning of the hospital. Their pro-active approach shone through time and time again.””

- James Webster, Project Manager, Kane Constructions.

© KANE JARROD PHOTOGRAPHY

Pandemic ready

A

s part of the Victorian Government’s $1.9 billion funding

the Group to deliver the project within the 12-week program while

Mid-program, as Australia saw the COVID-19 curve flatten, additional

boost to increase the health system’s surge capacity and

overcoming a number of technical challenges.

works were able to be included in the scope, such as a new reception

provide more hospital beds to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of facilities no longer used for

healthcare were identified for recommissioning.

to operational standard required over three weeks of full-time

East Melbourne.

service work. A.G. Coombs service technicians, who were familiar

Mac” relocated to the Parkville bio-medical precinct in 2016, was recommissioned and converted to accommodate 84 in patient (IPU) and high dependency beds to specifically treat patients infected with coronavirus.

The $30 million project was delivered under a super-fast-tracked program led by head contractor Kane Constructions.

A.G. Coombs was engaged to provide the mechanical and HVAC services works, and collaborated closely with project consultants AECOM to achieve a cost-effective and operationally effective design solution.

This solution required a 100% fresh air supply to the wards so as to achieve the negative pressure required for the specialist healthcare the facility would provide.

Drawing on its experience in the planning and management of complex projects, A.G. Coombs deployed expert resources from across

04

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

Returning the hospital’s mechanical services and HVAC systems

Among them was the former Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in

The well-known building, which had remained dormant since “Peter

While Australians were called on to flatten the curve as the COVID-19 pandemic reached our shores, preparations were underway to boost Victoria’s healthcare system to deal with the looming health crisis.

These included, not least, the dormant state of the facility and its services.

area, ambulance bay and kitchen upgrades.

Work was also carried out to support safe access for patients, staff and visitors while ensuring the building was compliant with current safety standards.

with the site from service and maintenance work conducted in

The project was completed while the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear

the past, were brought in specifically to work on the old pneumatic

Hospital’s outpatient and day surgery campus – Eye and Ear on the Park

control system.

– remained fully operational on the lower two levels of the building.

Additionally, a wide range of equipment that had reached its end-of-

Despite the site challenges, and those presented by new work

life required replacement. This led to significant upgrade works on

practices as a consequence of the pandemic, practical completion

central plant systems including heating hot water, air handling and

was reached on time.

chiller plant. Valves, fan motors and pipework were replaced, while variable speed drives (VSDs) were added for efficiency.

To reduce lead times, site congestion and the amount of work conducted on site, A.G. Coombs drew on its prefabrication experience to have a number of system components, including fans and pump skids, built off site.

At the project’s peak, a team of over 50 A.G. Coombs staff worked on the project including service technicians, plumbers, engineers, draftspersons and commissioning specialists. A.G. Coombs Advisory was also engaged to integrate the building management

In mid-July 2020 as the state faced a second wave of COVID-19 cases, the Victorian Government announced that the facility – now known as St Vincent’s Hospital on the Park – was ready to take COVID-19 patients if required.

“St Vincent’s Hospital on the Park is an important addition to Victoria’s healthcare infrastructure and we are proud to have delivered six months’ worth of work in a 7-week timeframe alongside our project partners,” said James Webster, Project Manager for Kane Constructions.

and control system (BMCS).

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

05

“A.G. Coombs responded to the challenge with a high level of technical ability and experience to help ensure that Victorians continue to receive the very best healthcare through the recommissioning of the hospital. Their pro-active approach shone through time and time again.””

- James Webster, Project Manager, Kane Constructions.

© KANE JARROD PHOTOGRAPHY

Pandemic ready

A

s part of the Victorian Government’s $1.9 billion funding

the Group to deliver the project within the 12-week program while

Mid-program, as Australia saw the COVID-19 curve flatten, additional

boost to increase the health system’s surge capacity and

overcoming a number of technical challenges.

works were able to be included in the scope, such as a new reception

provide more hospital beds to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of facilities no longer used for

healthcare were identified for recommissioning.

to operational standard required over three weeks of full-time

East Melbourne.

service work. A.G. Coombs service technicians, who were familiar

Mac” relocated to the Parkville bio-medical precinct in 2016, was recommissioned and converted to accommodate 84 in patient (IPU) and high dependency beds to specifically treat patients infected with coronavirus.

The $30 million project was delivered under a super-fast-tracked program led by head contractor Kane Constructions.

A.G. Coombs was engaged to provide the mechanical and HVAC services works, and collaborated closely with project consultants AECOM to achieve a cost-effective and operationally effective design solution.

This solution required a 100% fresh air supply to the wards so as to achieve the negative pressure required for the specialist healthcare the facility would provide.

Drawing on its experience in the planning and management of complex projects, A.G. Coombs deployed expert resources from across

04

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

Returning the hospital’s mechanical services and HVAC systems

Among them was the former Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in

The well-known building, which had remained dormant since “Peter

While Australians were called on to flatten the curve as the COVID-19 pandemic reached our shores, preparations were underway to boost Victoria’s healthcare system to deal with the looming health crisis.

These included, not least, the dormant state of the facility and its services.

area, ambulance bay and kitchen upgrades.

Work was also carried out to support safe access for patients, staff and visitors while ensuring the building was compliant with current safety standards.

with the site from service and maintenance work conducted in

The project was completed while the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear

the past, were brought in specifically to work on the old pneumatic

Hospital’s outpatient and day surgery campus – Eye and Ear on the Park

control system.

– remained fully operational on the lower two levels of the building.

Additionally, a wide range of equipment that had reached its end-of-

Despite the site challenges, and those presented by new work

life required replacement. This led to significant upgrade works on

practices as a consequence of the pandemic, practical completion

central plant systems including heating hot water, air handling and

was reached on time.

chiller plant. Valves, fan motors and pipework were replaced, while variable speed drives (VSDs) were added for efficiency.

To reduce lead times, site congestion and the amount of work conducted on site, A.G. Coombs drew on its prefabrication experience to have a number of system components, including fans and pump skids, built off site.

At the project’s peak, a team of over 50 A.G. Coombs staff worked on the project including service technicians, plumbers, engineers, draftspersons and commissioning specialists. A.G. Coombs Advisory was also engaged to integrate the building management

In mid-July 2020 as the state faced a second wave of COVID-19 cases, the Victorian Government announced that the facility – now known as St Vincent’s Hospital on the Park – was ready to take COVID-19 patients if required.

“St Vincent’s Hospital on the Park is an important addition to Victoria’s healthcare infrastructure and we are proud to have delivered six months’ worth of work in a 7-week timeframe alongside our project partners,” said James Webster, Project Manager for Kane Constructions.

and control system (BMCS).

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

05

Delivering the modular solution

“ A.G. Coombs has proven to be a valuable partner on 3 Parramatta Square. The team’s ability to coordinate services, and respond to a challenging construction program with innovative prefabricated solutions has contributed to an outstanding outcome.”

Stephen Gillespie, Project Manager for Walker Corporation.

A pre-fabricated, modular mechanical services solution has contributed to the successful delivery of the second stage of the $3.2 billion Parramatta Square development.

W

orking under a Built Obayashi Joint Venture,

350 modular frames featuring chilled beams manufactured in

A.G. Coombs has played a key role in the construction

Denmark. By prefabricating the frames offsite, each chilled beam

of the new $175 million 3 Parramatta Square building

could be pressure tested after assembly to identify potential defects

for developer, the Walker Group. This venture with

in the factory prior to their installation across Levels 3 to 16.

BOJV has also successfully delivered the neighbouring commercial tower in the Parramatta Square precinct.

Approximately 90+ meeting and comms rooms located across Levels

The 3 Parramatta Square mixed-use tower features the architectural

by the tenancy condenser water loop. To simplify the manufacture

design by Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) over 43,000m² of A-Grade

and installation to a consistent quality, A.G. Coombs consolidated

office space across 16 levels. Central within the building is an

their design into three typical acoustically treated box modules.

open atrium starting above the Ground floor and spanning the

Prefabricated offsite, the acoustically treated packaged unit modules

entire tower allowing natural light through a glass ceiling above to

were able to be quickly mounted and connected to services in the ceiling

illuminate the interior. The building also features three Basement

above each meeting room saving significant site installation works.

1 to 13 (tenanted by NAB) are served by separate packaged units fed

car parking levels below plus a Basement Mezzanine level with end-of-trip facilities. Multiple retail spaces are located along the Ground floor to face the greater promenade from Parramatta Station.

Following its engagement as a full design and construct mechanical services contractor in 2017, A.G. Coombs worked collaboratively with base building consulting engineers LCI for the base building design and Norman Disney & Young (NDY) on the integrated NAB fit-out. With the first 13 floors of the tower tenanted by NAB, A.G. Coombs worked with the fit-out architects Woods Bagot and project manager Savills to deliver an integrated fit-out concurrently with the base building.

A.G. Coombs led the development to adopt a hybrid system for the base building that features an efficient passive chilled beam arrangement serving the floorplate perimeter, and a lowtemperature variable air volume (VAV) system across the open

In its lead services role A.G. Coombs also implemented the use of building information modelling (BIM) software on the project and were the lead modelling coordinators of the 3PS project.

Furthermore, site utilisation of BIM models on handheld devices allowed visibility of installation during construction preventing many potential clashes through quick resolution.

Practical completion at 3 Parramatta Square was reached in April 2020.

NAB’s lease commencement was scheduled for the beginning of July, however to manage workplace exposure to COVID-19, NAB occupation of the building has pushed back to August 2020.

Post completion, A.G. Coombs have been engaged to provide ongoing service and maintenance to both the 3 and 4 Parramatta Square buildings showcasing an A.G. Coombs Whole-of-Life delivery.

office floors. A high-temperature chilled water system supplying

“Parramatta Square is a fantastic addition to the city of Parramatta”

the chilled beams is provided through secondary heat exchanger

said Stephen Gillespie, Project Manager for Walker Corporation.

arrangement with the main chilled water plant.

“A.G. Coombs has proven to be a valuable partner on 3 Parramatta

Several adaptive prefabrication techniques were utilised by

Square. The team’s ability to coordinate services, and respond to a

A.G. Coombs to expedite the services installation and minimise time

challenging construction program with innovative prefabricated

on site. These included the offsite prefabrication of approximately

solutions has contributed to an outstanding outcome.”

06

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

07

Delivering the modular solution

“ A.G. Coombs has proven to be a valuable partner on 3 Parramatta Square. The team’s ability to coordinate services, and respond to a challenging construction program with innovative prefabricated solutions has contributed to an outstanding outcome.”

Stephen Gillespie, Project Manager for Walker Corporation.

A pre-fabricated, modular mechanical services solution has contributed to the successful delivery of the second stage of the $3.2 billion Parramatta Square development.

W

orking under a Built Obayashi Joint Venture,

350 modular frames featuring chilled beams manufactured in

A.G. Coombs has played a key role in the construction

Denmark. By prefabricating the frames offsite, each chilled beam

of the new $175 million 3 Parramatta Square building

could be pressure tested after assembly to identify potential defects

for developer, the Walker Group. This venture with

in the factory prior to their installation across Levels 3 to 16.

BOJV has also successfully delivered the neighbouring commercial tower in the Parramatta Square precinct.

Approximately 90+ meeting and comms rooms located across Levels

The 3 Parramatta Square mixed-use tower features the architectural

by the tenancy condenser water loop. To simplify the manufacture

design by Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) over 43,000m² of A-Grade

and installation to a consistent quality, A.G. Coombs consolidated

office space across 16 levels. Central within the building is an

their design into three typical acoustically treated box modules.

open atrium starting above the Ground floor and spanning the

Prefabricated offsite, the acoustically treated packaged unit modules

entire tower allowing natural light through a glass ceiling above to

were able to be quickly mounted and connected to services in the ceiling

illuminate the interior. The building also features three Basement

above each meeting room saving significant site installation works.

1 to 13 (tenanted by NAB) are served by separate packaged units fed

car parking levels below plus a Basement Mezzanine level with end-of-trip facilities. Multiple retail spaces are located along the Ground floor to face the greater promenade from Parramatta Station.

Following its engagement as a full design and construct mechanical services contractor in 2017, A.G. Coombs worked collaboratively with base building consulting engineers LCI for the base building design and Norman Disney & Young (NDY) on the integrated NAB fit-out. With the first 13 floors of the tower tenanted by NAB, A.G. Coombs worked with the fit-out architects Woods Bagot and project manager Savills to deliver an integrated fit-out concurrently with the base building.

A.G. Coombs led the development to adopt a hybrid system for the base building that features an efficient passive chilled beam arrangement serving the floorplate perimeter, and a lowtemperature variable air volume (VAV) system across the open

In its lead services role A.G. Coombs also implemented the use of building information modelling (BIM) software on the project and were the lead modelling coordinators of the 3PS project.

Furthermore, site utilisation of BIM models on handheld devices allowed visibility of installation during construction preventing many potential clashes through quick resolution.

Practical completion at 3 Parramatta Square was reached in April 2020.

NAB’s lease commencement was scheduled for the beginning of July, however to manage workplace exposure to COVID-19, NAB occupation of the building has pushed back to August 2020.

Post completion, A.G. Coombs have been engaged to provide ongoing service and maintenance to both the 3 and 4 Parramatta Square buildings showcasing an A.G. Coombs Whole-of-Life delivery.

office floors. A high-temperature chilled water system supplying

“Parramatta Square is a fantastic addition to the city of Parramatta”

the chilled beams is provided through secondary heat exchanger

said Stephen Gillespie, Project Manager for Walker Corporation.

arrangement with the main chilled water plant.

“A.G. Coombs has proven to be a valuable partner on 3 Parramatta

Several adaptive prefabrication techniques were utilised by

Square. The team’s ability to coordinate services, and respond to a

A.G. Coombs to expedite the services installation and minimise time

challenging construction program with innovative prefabricated

on site. These included the offsite prefabrication of approximately

solutions has contributed to an outstanding outcome.”

06

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

07

Sydney’s new arena CSL’s Southern Aurora

The redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium will ensure

air volume (VAV) terminal units will provide localised temperature

Sydney has a modern, world-class venue of international standard

control and zoning to the stadium’s corporate hospitality spaces.

for many years to come.

L

plant will reflect the variation in load placed on these systems as a

former Allianz Stadium was Sydney’s premier rectangular

consequence of the stadium’s event scheduling and non-peak days.

field venue for rugby league, rugby union and football (soccer) for 30 years.

Government to announce that the stadium would be demolished and

VAV boxes, pre-assembled fan and pump modules and risers modules

premier sporting and entertainment destination.

In late 2019, the NSW Government awarded the contract to build the new stadium to John Holland with construction beginning in early 2020.

As the first contractor on the project during the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) period, A.G. Coombs has been engaged to deliver all mechanical services for the stadium under a design and construct contract. It will also take the role of lead services and building

C

information modelling (BIM) coordinator.

A.G. Coombs is working to a sophisticated mechanical services

fractionator, ensuring the reliable supply of high quality

design documented by consulting engineer, Irwinconsult. Since

plasma products to Australia and Asia Pacific. CSL Behring

commencing on site in mid-2019, the team has grown to include 50

Australia also provides contract manufacturing services

technical and management personnel at peak periods.

for New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan..

As well as meeting CSL Behring’s specifications and the compliance

A.G. Coombs has designed prefabrication into the mechanical services design response wherever possible. This will see all FCUs,

stadium would complete the transformation of the precinct into a

SL Behring Australia is Australia’s national plasma

And to meet the challenges of the compressed construction program,

But its aging infrastructure and poor spectator amenity led the NSW rebuilt into a world-class venue in 2017. The construction of a new

Two years after the completion of the AlbuRx project, A.G. Coombs has returned to CSL Behring’s Broadmeadows site to complete the mechanical services construction of a new base fractionation facility.

The control strategy and arrangement of the chillers and central energy

ocated next to the Sydney Cricket Ground at Moore Park, the

Much work has been completed during the project’s detailed design phase to refine the mechanical services systems and solutions, particularly in light of the project targeting a Leadership in Energy

constructed offsite.

Additionally, much of the Level 5 main mechanical services plant – which has been reduced in size and noise output due to its publicly visible location – will also be preassembled offsite.

A.G. Coombs has also brought its experience from the recent construction of the Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta to ensure effective acoustic treatment of the stadium’s externally-located chillers.

It is anticipated that the new Sydney Football Stadium will reach practical completion in time to host the 2022 NRL Grand Final.

“John Holland is committed to creating a stadium that is worthy of Sydney’s status as a global city,” said Marek Sorm, Services Manager for John Holland.

and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

“A.G. Coombs has responded to the project’s compressed construction program through the introduction of innovative solutions, and we

The company’s Australian manufacturing facility in Broadmeadows,

requirements of a biomedical facility of this type, A.G. Coombs is

The mechanical services design will feature natural ventilation

look forward to working with all stakeholders to set a new standard

north of Melbourne, additionally produces commercial plasma

committed to delivering an exceptionally high quality installation.

whenever possible. A combination of fan coil units (FCUs) and variable

for stadium construction.”

products as part of CSL Behring’s global supply chain.

The fitout has been completed as vertical modules. Dedicated air handling units (AHUs) serve the different process spaces within each module.

As well as meeting CSL Behring’s specifications and the compliance requirements of a biomedical facility of this type, A.G. Coombs is committed to delivering an exceptionally high quality installation.

The steel floor construction on Level 4 created a number of logistical and coordination challenges for A.G. Coombs, such that Level 3 services were required to be installed ahead of the construction commencing above. Mechanical services components including ductwork and air handling units (AHUs) were all lifted from the level 3 slab through the level 4 steel into their respective final locations.

To safely construct the facility’s 22m-high services riser, A.G. Coombs prefabricated the unit offsite before having it transported to site and craned into position. Installed in just one day, it is the largest riser to

CSL Behring is set to expand its base fractionation capacity and support

have ever been prefabricated by the Group.

an end-to-end manufacturing process through the construction of new

The large number and variety of trades – including specialty trades

facilities in the USA, Germany and at Broadmeadows.

engaged by CSL Behring directly – has demanded close collaboration

Construction of the base fractionation facility at Broadmeadows is

and coordination so as to cater for all technical and spatial requirements.

being managed by Icon Construction, the same group responsible for

CSL Behring’s base fractionation facility will help meet the future

the delivery of the AlbuRx facility and other projects since 2018.

global demand for plasma-derived therapies.

A.G. Coombs was awarded the tender as mechanical services

“The technically complex nature of CSL Behring’s Aurora facility has

specialist contractor on both the Broadmeadows base fractionation

required a highly experienced and committed project team,” said

facility and associated warehouse facility.

Louise McKinnon, Project Manager for Icon Construction.

08

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

09

Sydney’s new arena CSL’s Southern Aurora

The redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium will ensure

air volume (VAV) terminal units will provide localised temperature

Sydney has a modern, world-class venue of international standard

control and zoning to the stadium’s corporate hospitality spaces.

for many years to come.

L

plant will reflect the variation in load placed on these systems as a

former Allianz Stadium was Sydney’s premier rectangular

consequence of the stadium’s event scheduling and non-peak days.

field venue for rugby league, rugby union and football (soccer) for 30 years.

Government to announce that the stadium would be demolished and

VAV boxes, pre-assembled fan and pump modules and risers modules

premier sporting and entertainment destination.

In late 2019, the NSW Government awarded the contract to build the new stadium to John Holland with construction beginning in early 2020.

As the first contractor on the project during the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) period, A.G. Coombs has been engaged to deliver all mechanical services for the stadium under a design and construct contract. It will also take the role of lead services and building

C

information modelling (BIM) coordinator.

A.G. Coombs is working to a sophisticated mechanical services

fractionator, ensuring the reliable supply of high quality

design documented by consulting engineer, Irwinconsult. Since

plasma products to Australia and Asia Pacific. CSL Behring

commencing on site in mid-2019, the team has grown to include 50

Australia also provides contract manufacturing services

technical and management personnel at peak periods.

for New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan..

As well as meeting CSL Behring’s specifications and the compliance

A.G. Coombs has designed prefabrication into the mechanical services design response wherever possible. This will see all FCUs,

stadium would complete the transformation of the precinct into a

SL Behring Australia is Australia’s national plasma

And to meet the challenges of the compressed construction program,

But its aging infrastructure and poor spectator amenity led the NSW rebuilt into a world-class venue in 2017. The construction of a new

Two years after the completion of the AlbuRx project, A.G. Coombs has returned to CSL Behring’s Broadmeadows site to complete the mechanical services construction of a new base fractionation facility.

The control strategy and arrangement of the chillers and central energy

ocated next to the Sydney Cricket Ground at Moore Park, the

Much work has been completed during the project’s detailed design phase to refine the mechanical services systems and solutions, particularly in light of the project targeting a Leadership in Energy

constructed offsite.

Additionally, much of the Level 5 main mechanical services plant – which has been reduced in size and noise output due to its publicly visible location – will also be preassembled offsite.

A.G. Coombs has also brought its experience from the recent construction of the Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta to ensure effective acoustic treatment of the stadium’s externally-located chillers.

It is anticipated that the new Sydney Football Stadium will reach practical completion in time to host the 2022 NRL Grand Final.

“John Holland is committed to creating a stadium that is worthy of Sydney’s status as a global city,” said Marek Sorm, Services Manager for John Holland.

and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

“A.G. Coombs has responded to the project’s compressed construction program through the introduction of innovative solutions, and we

The company’s Australian manufacturing facility in Broadmeadows,

requirements of a biomedical facility of this type, A.G. Coombs is

The mechanical services design will feature natural ventilation

look forward to working with all stakeholders to set a new standard

north of Melbourne, additionally produces commercial plasma

committed to delivering an exceptionally high quality installation.

whenever possible. A combination of fan coil units (FCUs) and variable

for stadium construction.”

products as part of CSL Behring’s global supply chain.

The fitout has been completed as vertical modules. Dedicated air handling units (AHUs) serve the different process spaces within each module.

As well as meeting CSL Behring’s specifications and the compliance requirements of a biomedical facility of this type, A.G. Coombs is committed to delivering an exceptionally high quality installation.

The steel floor construction on Level 4 created a number of logistical and coordination challenges for A.G. Coombs, such that Level 3 services were required to be installed ahead of the construction commencing above. Mechanical services components including ductwork and air handling units (AHUs) were all lifted from the level 3 slab through the level 4 steel into their respective final locations.

To safely construct the facility’s 22m-high services riser, A.G. Coombs prefabricated the unit offsite before having it transported to site and craned into position. Installed in just one day, it is the largest riser to

CSL Behring is set to expand its base fractionation capacity and support

have ever been prefabricated by the Group.

an end-to-end manufacturing process through the construction of new

The large number and variety of trades – including specialty trades

facilities in the USA, Germany and at Broadmeadows.

engaged by CSL Behring directly – has demanded close collaboration

Construction of the base fractionation facility at Broadmeadows is

and coordination so as to cater for all technical and spatial requirements.

being managed by Icon Construction, the same group responsible for

CSL Behring’s base fractionation facility will help meet the future

the delivery of the AlbuRx facility and other projects since 2018.

global demand for plasma-derived therapies.

A.G. Coombs was awarded the tender as mechanical services

“The technically complex nature of CSL Behring’s Aurora facility has

specialist contractor on both the Broadmeadows base fractionation

required a highly experienced and committed project team,” said

facility and associated warehouse facility.

Louise McKinnon, Project Manager for Icon Construction.

08

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

09

©HAMILTONLUND MLC

Maintaining an icon When completed in 1977, the iconic Harry Seidler-designed MLC Centre held the title of being the world’s tallest reinforced concrete office building.

Forty years on, it remains a prominent fixture of Sydney’s evolving skyline.

C

onsidered a luminary of Australian architecture, and

In the time since being on site, the team has worked closely with

the first to fully express the Bauhaus aesthetic locally,

Dexus to improve the energy efficiency of the building’s existing

Seidler designed more than 180 buildings during his

chilled water plants through fine tuning and improvements to chiller

decorated career.

staging. This has contributed to the building maintaining its 4.5 star

The MLC Centre at Martin Place, with its white moulded façade and octagonal floorplan, remains one of his most recognisable works.

NABERS Energy rating.

Water consumption has also been reduced through the reconditioning and upgrade of the MLC Centre’s main building

Owned by Dexus, one of Australia’s leading property groups, and Dexus Wholesale Property Fund, the 67-level building offers high quality office space for high profile tenants, as well as retail and dining spaces at the podium level.

The site, bounded by Pitt, King and Castlereagh Streets, also features the Theatre Royal and the heritage-listed CTA Business Club building.

cooling tower plant.

Additionally, A.G. Coombs has completed a number of A-Grade office fitouts and continues to build rapport with building tenants.

“The MLC Centre is an icon of Sydney’s commercial office market,” said Gary Aberley, A.G. Coombs Contract Manager.

The latter offers accommodation, meeting rooms and conference space

“Since its engagement, A.G. Coombs has quickly become familiar

for Commercial Travellers’ Association of New South Wales members.

with the property’s unique mechanical services systems, and has confidently put in place a number of efficiency improvement

The MLC Centre, with its white moulded façade and octagonal floorplan, remains one of Harry Seidler’s most recognisable works.

programs to ensure the MLC Centre remains a landmark property for years to come.”

Dexus is currently undertaking a $180 million redevelopment of the MLC Centre, which will add 6,000m² of new and improved retail, dining and commercial space across a new four-level podium at the base of the office tower. The project also includes the refurbishment of the Theatre Royal, which has remained closed since 2016.

Offering a wealth of commercial building systems and integration knowledge, A.G. Coombs was engaged by Dexus to provide maintenance of the MLC Centre’s mechanical services and HVAC systems in April 2018.

Having mobilised quickly to ensure continuity of service, A.G. Coombs employs two full-time technicians and an apprentice on the site permanently. This team manages the day-to-day operation of the robust mechanical services plant, and maintains conditions across the office and retail tenancies.

The input of the broader A.G. Coombs team – many of whom have a detailed knowledge of the MLC Centre site, having worked on it over the years – has also been invaluable in maintaining the building’s

“Since its engagement, A.G. Coombs has quickly become familiar with the property’s unique mechanical services systems and has confidently put in place a number of efficiency improvement programs to ensure the MLC Centre remains a landmark property for years to come.”

– Gary Aberley, A.G. Coombs Contract Manager.

unique controls systems that combine new electronic controls with the original pneumatic system from the 1970s.

10

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

11

©HAMILTONLUND MLC

Maintaining an icon When completed in 1977, the iconic Harry Seidler-designed MLC Centre held the title of being the world’s tallest reinforced concrete office building.

Forty years on, it remains a prominent fixture of Sydney’s evolving skyline.

C

onsidered a luminary of Australian architecture, and

In the time since being on site, the team has worked closely with

the first to fully express the Bauhaus aesthetic locally,

Dexus to improve the energy efficiency of the building’s existing

Seidler designed more than 180 buildings during his

chilled water plants through fine tuning and improvements to chiller

decorated career.

staging. This has contributed to the building maintaining its 4.5 star

The MLC Centre at Martin Place, with its white moulded façade and octagonal floorplan, remains one of his most recognisable works.

NABERS Energy rating.

Water consumption has also been reduced through the reconditioning and upgrade of the MLC Centre’s main building

Owned by Dexus, one of Australia’s leading property groups, and Dexus Wholesale Property Fund, the 67-level building offers high quality office space for high profile tenants, as well as retail and dining spaces at the podium level.

The site, bounded by Pitt, King and Castlereagh Streets, also features the Theatre Royal and the heritage-listed CTA Business Club building.

cooling tower plant.

Additionally, A.G. Coombs has completed a number of A-Grade office fitouts and continues to build rapport with building tenants.

“The MLC Centre is an icon of Sydney’s commercial office market,” said Gary Aberley, A.G. Coombs Contract Manager.

The latter offers accommodation, meeting rooms and conference space

“Since its engagement, A.G. Coombs has quickly become familiar

for Commercial Travellers’ Association of New South Wales members.

with the property’s unique mechanical services systems, and has confidently put in place a number of efficiency improvement

The MLC Centre, with its white moulded façade and octagonal floorplan, remains one of Harry Seidler’s most recognisable works.

programs to ensure the MLC Centre remains a landmark property for years to come.”

Dexus is currently undertaking a $180 million redevelopment of the MLC Centre, which will add 6,000m² of new and improved retail, dining and commercial space across a new four-level podium at the base of the office tower. The project also includes the refurbishment of the Theatre Royal, which has remained closed since 2016.

Offering a wealth of commercial building systems and integration knowledge, A.G. Coombs was engaged by Dexus to provide maintenance of the MLC Centre’s mechanical services and HVAC systems in April 2018.

Having mobilised quickly to ensure continuity of service, A.G. Coombs employs two full-time technicians and an apprentice on the site permanently. This team manages the day-to-day operation of the robust mechanical services plant, and maintains conditions across the office and retail tenancies.

The input of the broader A.G. Coombs team – many of whom have a detailed knowledge of the MLC Centre site, having worked on it over the years – has also been invaluable in maintaining the building’s

“Since its engagement, A.G. Coombs has quickly become familiar with the property’s unique mechanical services systems and has confidently put in place a number of efficiency improvement programs to ensure the MLC Centre remains a landmark property for years to come.”

– Gary Aberley, A.G. Coombs Contract Manager.

unique controls systems that combine new electronic controls with the original pneumatic system from the 1970s.

10

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

11

The COVID-19 journey Few events throughout A.G. Coombs’ 75-year history have challenged the status quo like the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges experienced by staff personally, and the Group as a whole, A.G. Coombs has led from the front as the building services industry navigates a new kind of normal.

A

midst the news reports of Australia’s devastating bushfire season in the summer of 2019/20, news of a different threat was emerging from further afield with the first signs of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By February 2020, this potential threat was receiving critical analysis

by A.G. Coombs management as it traded knowledge and gained an international perspective from colleagues within its Global Peer Group.

Planning immediately commenced on the company’s OH&S response, with existing systems enhanced to manage the health risks while maintaining essential services. Meanwhile, A.G. Coombs Projects discovered the depth of government preparations when it was briefed on the refurbishment of the former Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre into a COVID-19-specific healthcare facility.

The COVID-19 pandemic had officially arrived in Australia.

In the weeks and months that followed, Australians would be challenged like never before as state and federal governments placed a variety of restrictions on business activity, social interaction and movement.

At the forefront of the A.G. Coombs response to COVID-19 has been

“Ours is an industry already familiar with the management of health and safety on site.”

the health, safety and job security of its people, and maintaining the essential services critical to the ongoing operation of its clients’ properties and facilities.

Vital to this was the work conducted by the A.G. Coombs Workplace Health and Safety team. Utilising new and existing technology, a daily COVID-19 questionnaire was implemented and became mandatory for all staff – whether located on site, in the office or working from home.

“Understanding our people’s health in real-time has been critical to the management of our response, and maintaining our safe presence

At the forefront of the A.G. Coombs response to COVID-19 has been the health, safety and job security of our people.

at client sites around Australia,” says Luke Snell, A.G. Coombs Workplace Health and Safety Manager.

COVID-safe plans were progressively implemented in compliance

General Manager. “COVID-19 added an unprecedented level of

with both government and client requirements, while technology

complexity and volume to this management, but we have been equal

provided full visibility of the movement patterns of staff working on

to the task.”

sites around the country.

“The company’s response, from our technicians in the field through to

Out in the field, A.G. Coombs technicians navigated the complexity

the industry leadership reflected in our COVID-19 Advisory Notes, has

of restricted site access and maintained building services operations

given clients the confidence to support us in continuing our vital work.”

and services by working collaboratively with clients. Site-based check-in systems and adherence to COVID-safe plans quickly became business-as-usual.

Often working in isolation in near-empty buildings and across what have, at times, been deserted cities has presented both challenges and opportunities for A.G. Coombs’ Service and Projects teams. While some

“Ours is an industry already familiar with the management of health

works were interrupted, others were brought forward to take advantage

and safety on site,” says Gareth Whitfield, A.G. Coombs Servicing

of the low occupancy levels of commercial office buildings.

12

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

“Maintaining client relationships during this time has been important, and in many cases we have become the eyes and ears for our clients on site,” says Travis Gunn, A.G. Coombs

- Gareth Whitfield, A.G. Coombs Servicing General Manager.

Service Technician.

Scalable labour strategies also allowed A.G. Coombs to shift some of its workforce from construction sites to offsite prefabrication in

model to maintain the high level of client service the company is

controlled, COVID-safe environments.

known for.”

Relocated to a secure facility in Port Melbourne, the National

While the affects of the pandemic may be significant for many

Customer Service Centre (NCSC) has fulfilled its important customerfocused function unabated.

Split into two isolated teams, the NCSC has maintained the important interface between property and facility management clients and A.G. Coombs technicians, and our trusted service

businesses, A.G. Coombs has recognised that some impacts will result in positive, permanent changes that will be of long-lasting benefit to the business and its people.

“A.G. Coombs is a strong, well-managed business with an ingrained change-management philosophy,” says A.G. Coombs (Projects)

providers Australia-wide.

General Manager, Mark Mitchell.

“Adaptation and agility is part of our DNA at A.G. Coombs,” says

“Throughout 2020, our people have demonstrated their capability to be

Jodi Whelan, National Customer Service Centre Manager.

agile and adapt to the circumstances that have presented themselves.

“Early mobilisation in response to COVID-19 ensured that we have

years will ensure A.G. Coombs continues to lead the building services

kept our people safe and allowed us to adapt our service delivery

industry from the front.”

This ability to handle the pace of change in the coming months and

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

13

The COVID-19 journey Few events throughout A.G. Coombs’ 75-year history have challenged the status quo like the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges experienced by staff personally, and the Group as a whole, A.G. Coombs has led from the front as the building services industry navigates a new kind of normal.

A

midst the news reports of Australia’s devastating bushfire season in the summer of 2019/20, news of a different threat was emerging from further afield with the first signs of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By February 2020, this potential threat was receiving critical analysis

by A.G. Coombs management as it traded knowledge and gained an international perspective from colleagues within its Global Peer Group.

Planning immediately commenced on the company’s OH&S response, with existing systems enhanced to manage the health risks while maintaining essential services. Meanwhile, A.G. Coombs Projects discovered the depth of government preparations when it was briefed on the refurbishment of the former Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre into a COVID-19-specific healthcare facility.

The COVID-19 pandemic had officially arrived in Australia.

In the weeks and months that followed, Australians would be challenged like never before as state and federal governments placed a variety of restrictions on business activity, social interaction and movement.

At the forefront of the A.G. Coombs response to COVID-19 has been

“Ours is an industry already familiar with the management of health and safety on site.”

the health, safety and job security of its people, and maintaining the essential services critical to the ongoing operation of its clients’ properties and facilities.

Vital to this was the work conducted by the A.G. Coombs Workplace Health and Safety team. Utilising new and existing technology, a daily COVID-19 questionnaire was implemented and became mandatory for all staff – whether located on site, in the office or working from home.

“Understanding our people’s health in real-time has been critical to the management of our response, and maintaining our safe presence

At the forefront of the A.G. Coombs response to COVID-19 has been the health, safety and job security of our people.

at client sites around Australia,” says Luke Snell, A.G. Coombs Workplace Health and Safety Manager.

COVID-safe plans were progressively implemented in compliance

General Manager. “COVID-19 added an unprecedented level of

with both government and client requirements, while technology

complexity and volume to this management, but we have been equal

provided full visibility of the movement patterns of staff working on

to the task.”

sites around the country.

“The company’s response, from our technicians in the field through to

Out in the field, A.G. Coombs technicians navigated the complexity

the industry leadership reflected in our COVID-19 Advisory Notes, has

of restricted site access and maintained building services operations

given clients the confidence to support us in continuing our vital work.”

and services by working collaboratively with clients. Site-based check-in systems and adherence to COVID-safe plans quickly became business-as-usual.

Often working in isolation in near-empty buildings and across what have, at times, been deserted cities has presented both challenges and opportunities for A.G. Coombs’ Service and Projects teams. While some

“Ours is an industry already familiar with the management of health

works were interrupted, others were brought forward to take advantage

and safety on site,” says Gareth Whitfield, A.G. Coombs Servicing

of the low occupancy levels of commercial office buildings.

12

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

“Maintaining client relationships during this time has been important, and in many cases we have become the eyes and ears for our clients on site,” says Travis Gunn, A.G. Coombs

- Gareth Whitfield, A.G. Coombs Servicing General Manager.

Service Technician.

Scalable labour strategies also allowed A.G. Coombs to shift some of its workforce from construction sites to offsite prefabrication in

model to maintain the high level of client service the company is

controlled, COVID-safe environments.

known for.”

Relocated to a secure facility in Port Melbourne, the National

While the affects of the pandemic may be significant for many

Customer Service Centre (NCSC) has fulfilled its important customerfocused function unabated.

Split into two isolated teams, the NCSC has maintained the important interface between property and facility management clients and A.G. Coombs technicians, and our trusted service

businesses, A.G. Coombs has recognised that some impacts will result in positive, permanent changes that will be of long-lasting benefit to the business and its people.

“A.G. Coombs is a strong, well-managed business with an ingrained change-management philosophy,” says A.G. Coombs (Projects)

providers Australia-wide.

General Manager, Mark Mitchell.

“Adaptation and agility is part of our DNA at A.G. Coombs,” says

“Throughout 2020, our people have demonstrated their capability to be

Jodi Whelan, National Customer Service Centre Manager.

agile and adapt to the circumstances that have presented themselves.

“Early mobilisation in response to COVID-19 ensured that we have

years will ensure A.G. Coombs continues to lead the building services

kept our people safe and allowed us to adapt our service delivery

industry from the front.”

This ability to handle the pace of change in the coming months and

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

13

Campus comfort

Building business intelligence

To assist in meeting the compressed project timeline and reduce the amount of work in classroom spaces, FCUs were supplied fully assembled with unit, return air plenum, filter, pipe, insulation and valves/fittings.

A live change-over of systems was conducted to further minimise disruptions while maintaining space conditions.

Further afield at Croydon and Wantirna, both campuses share similar layouts and building typologies.

The demand for reliable and useful data is growing. And as building owners, operators and users interact on a more frequent basis with their facilities, they are coming to expect more of the building systems that were once back-of-house.

A

.G. Coombs Advisory taps into over 70 years of experience

within a building to determine the impact changes to leasing

in designing, delivering, operating and maintaining the

arrangements would have on building services such as lifts, fire stairs,

technical systems of many of Australia’s leading and

sanitary facilities, mechanical services or electrical distribution.

iconic buildings.

In this way, the property owner was able to identify the building

To leverage the breadth of the Group’s engineering expertise, it has

services that would come under most strain from a change to the

developed a number of software solutions. Most recently, digital twins

number of people in the building.

have been created for clients in sectors from higher education to The digital twin model developed by A.G. Coombs Advisory uses well

commercial property.

While digital twins are often described as the next big thing in construction automation, their true value lies in their ability to enhance the level of interaction between the building owner/operator

known and established dashboards, software and protocols for ease of use. Knowledge of spreadsheets is sufficient to both input and extract useful data and importantly, keep data up-to-date.

“It’s important that you don’t need to be a software developer to use it,”

and building data.

Effectively a digital replica of a physical asset or collection of assets overlaid with real-time data and communication, the digital twin

said Oakeshott. “The intention is that our model is intuitive enough so that facility managers and leasing teams can use it independently.”

provides the user with information on asset performance as well as

And unlike those digital twins that are built concurrently as part

the ability to digitally control the physical asset.

of new construction projects, this model is designed to capture the

“The real value of a digital twin lies in the ability to manipulate data, build scenarios, try out the ‘what ifs’ and use it as a virtual sandpit to explore operational cause and effect,” said David Oakeshott for A.G. Coombs Advisory.

For large mechanical services systems serving multiple university campus buildings, A.G. Coombs Advisory’s development of its Building Business Intelligence digital twin has proven invaluable in planning changes to spaces – for instance from a teaching space to a laboratory.

important data within existing buildings where the potential to extend the life of building assets and equipment is much sought after.

whether the existing chilled water system had the capacity to accommodate such a radical change. The digital twin can be used for any network analysis; water, air and electrical systems.

Additionally, it allowed for multiple scenarios to be explored quickly and easily to determine the best outcome.

enhance the asset audit on a large, commercial property portfolio.

while ceiling fans and a small number of split systems were used for

F

space cooling. or more than 110 years, Swinburne has fostered close connections with industry with the aim of shaping the future through education.

Its three campuses in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne

To improve the thermal comfort conditions within student learning spaces, practical workshops and administration areas, A.G. Coombs completed an upgrade of the boiler plant with the installation of new condensing boilers. Additionally, a chiller plant enclosure consisting

– Hawthorn, Croydon and Wantirna – offer tertiary and higher

of two new energy efficient air-cooled chillers was constructed at

education courses, as well as Pathways and Vocational Education

each campus to provide air conditioning campus-wide.

(PAVE), for both domestic and international students.

To provide a world-class learning environment, Swinburne recognised the need to improve the thermal comfort conditions of its learning spaces across all three campuses.

Engaged directly by Swinburne University as head contractor, A.G. Coombs completed the fully documented project amidst a live teaching and learning environment, and within a compressed timeline further complicated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working closely with Swinburne, project manager FG Advisory and consulting engineer Jacobs, A.G. Coombs developed a construction program that sought to limit disruptions to staff and students.

“A.G. Coombs has proven its technical capability and delivered a highquality outcome for Swinburne while remaining committed to a challenging project program.”

- Peter Arandt, Project Manager – Major Projects, Enterprise Project Management Office, Swinburne University.

A.G. Coombs mobilised separate project teams across the three campuses with construction works commencing in September 2019.

The Hawthorn campus project involved the upgrade of mechanical services systems within multi-storey buildings TA and TB, which are

These systems serve new FCUs installed in the majority of classrooms

connected via an enclosed walkway.

within campus buildings. The units are connected to a rooftop pipework loop consisting of approximately 400 meters of pipe per campus.

Building Management and Control System or Operational Analytics

with new, energy efficient condensing boilers, and a new air-cooled

Like at Hawthorn, all construction works were carried out while each

data feeds.

chiller plant installed on the rooftop to serve both buildings. Pipe

campus remained open to staff and students. To minimise work and

risers were installed to all levels of both buildings to provide air

associated risks on site, well-established prefabrication techniques

conditioning throughout.

were utilised including the off site construction of chiller enclosure

“There’s a lot of power in combining multiple data sets. If you have data indicating the remaining life left in equipment, and you combine this with lease expiry dates or other data such as frequency of

To minimise disruption to staff and students, A.G. Coombs worked

breakdowns, you can use this information to establish priorities with

floor-by-floor to a pre-agreed schedule, removing the ceiling within

And from an energy rating perspective, the model provides an ability to explore multiple scenarios to find improvements in energy efficiency

pump skids and rooftop pipe modules. All FCUs were also supplied fully assembled.

classroom spaces and installing ductwork and new fan coil units

On those buildings where the pipework loop could not be installed,

(FCUs) incorporating heating and cooling.

or where the building function suited an alternative form of cooling, split systems and evaporative coolers have been installed.

and improve energy star ratings.

By the time practical completion is reached at the Croydon and

As well as educational settings and commercial property, A.G. Coombs

construction hours will have been invested on the project. Some 3,000-

Advisory has deployed its solution across a diverse range of building

plus hours will have also been dedicated to system commissioning.

Wantirna campuses in the last quarter of 2020, approximately 50,000

centres, government infrastructure and warehousing.

The modular nature of the Building Business Intelligence solution also offers the potential to support and improve maintenance regimes

population density against the asset lifecycle information. It allowed

within healthcare settings, particularly as they emerge from the

the property owner/manager to virtually alter the population density

COVID-19 pandemic.

Building Efficiency

heating plants that had all reached the end of their service life,

The project saw existing heating plant in each building replaced

This interactive model was designed to consider energy and

75 Years

Space heating had been provided at each campus via three existing

infrastructure including museums and art galleries, hospitals, data

A.G. Coombs Advisory has deployed a similar software model to

14

mechanical services to improve comfort conditions in campus facilities.

This can include asset management data and information from the

a greater level of certainty.”

Here, the solution allowed the building owner/operator to verify

Swinburne University has undertaken a $19 million upgrade of its

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

15

Campus comfort

Building business intelligence

To assist in meeting the compressed project timeline and reduce the amount of work in classroom spaces, FCUs were supplied fully assembled with unit, return air plenum, filter, pipe, insulation and valves/fittings.

A live change-over of systems was conducted to further minimise disruptions while maintaining space conditions.

Further afield at Croydon and Wantirna, both campuses share similar layouts and building typologies.

The demand for reliable and useful data is growing. And as building owners, operators and users interact on a more frequent basis with their facilities, they are coming to expect more of the building systems that were once back-of-house.

A

.G. Coombs Advisory taps into over 70 years of experience

within a building to determine the impact changes to leasing

in designing, delivering, operating and maintaining the

arrangements would have on building services such as lifts, fire stairs,

technical systems of many of Australia’s leading and

sanitary facilities, mechanical services or electrical distribution.

iconic buildings.

In this way, the property owner was able to identify the building

To leverage the breadth of the Group’s engineering expertise, it has

services that would come under most strain from a change to the

developed a number of software solutions. Most recently, digital twins

number of people in the building.

have been created for clients in sectors from higher education to The digital twin model developed by A.G. Coombs Advisory uses well

commercial property.

While digital twins are often described as the next big thing in construction automation, their true value lies in their ability to enhance the level of interaction between the building owner/operator

known and established dashboards, software and protocols for ease of use. Knowledge of spreadsheets is sufficient to both input and extract useful data and importantly, keep data up-to-date.

“It’s important that you don’t need to be a software developer to use it,”

and building data.

Effectively a digital replica of a physical asset or collection of assets overlaid with real-time data and communication, the digital twin

said Oakeshott. “The intention is that our model is intuitive enough so that facility managers and leasing teams can use it independently.”

provides the user with information on asset performance as well as

And unlike those digital twins that are built concurrently as part

the ability to digitally control the physical asset.

of new construction projects, this model is designed to capture the

“The real value of a digital twin lies in the ability to manipulate data, build scenarios, try out the ‘what ifs’ and use it as a virtual sandpit to explore operational cause and effect,” said David Oakeshott for A.G. Coombs Advisory.

For large mechanical services systems serving multiple university campus buildings, A.G. Coombs Advisory’s development of its Building Business Intelligence digital twin has proven invaluable in planning changes to spaces – for instance from a teaching space to a laboratory.

important data within existing buildings where the potential to extend the life of building assets and equipment is much sought after.

whether the existing chilled water system had the capacity to accommodate such a radical change. The digital twin can be used for any network analysis; water, air and electrical systems.

Additionally, it allowed for multiple scenarios to be explored quickly and easily to determine the best outcome.

enhance the asset audit on a large, commercial property portfolio.

while ceiling fans and a small number of split systems were used for

F

space cooling. or more than 110 years, Swinburne has fostered close connections with industry with the aim of shaping the future through education.

Its three campuses in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne

To improve the thermal comfort conditions within student learning spaces, practical workshops and administration areas, A.G. Coombs completed an upgrade of the boiler plant with the installation of new condensing boilers. Additionally, a chiller plant enclosure consisting

– Hawthorn, Croydon and Wantirna – offer tertiary and higher

of two new energy efficient air-cooled chillers was constructed at

education courses, as well as Pathways and Vocational Education

each campus to provide air conditioning campus-wide.

(PAVE), for both domestic and international students.

To provide a world-class learning environment, Swinburne recognised the need to improve the thermal comfort conditions of its learning spaces across all three campuses.

Engaged directly by Swinburne University as head contractor, A.G. Coombs completed the fully documented project amidst a live teaching and learning environment, and within a compressed timeline further complicated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working closely with Swinburne, project manager FG Advisory and consulting engineer Jacobs, A.G. Coombs developed a construction program that sought to limit disruptions to staff and students.

“A.G. Coombs has proven its technical capability and delivered a highquality outcome for Swinburne while remaining committed to a challenging project program.”

- Peter Arandt, Project Manager – Major Projects, Enterprise Project Management Office, Swinburne University.

A.G. Coombs mobilised separate project teams across the three campuses with construction works commencing in September 2019.

The Hawthorn campus project involved the upgrade of mechanical services systems within multi-storey buildings TA and TB, which are

These systems serve new FCUs installed in the majority of classrooms

connected via an enclosed walkway.

within campus buildings. The units are connected to a rooftop pipework loop consisting of approximately 400 meters of pipe per campus.

Building Management and Control System or Operational Analytics

with new, energy efficient condensing boilers, and a new air-cooled

Like at Hawthorn, all construction works were carried out while each

data feeds.

chiller plant installed on the rooftop to serve both buildings. Pipe

campus remained open to staff and students. To minimise work and

risers were installed to all levels of both buildings to provide air

associated risks on site, well-established prefabrication techniques

conditioning throughout.

were utilised including the off site construction of chiller enclosure

“There’s a lot of power in combining multiple data sets. If you have data indicating the remaining life left in equipment, and you combine this with lease expiry dates or other data such as frequency of

To minimise disruption to staff and students, A.G. Coombs worked

breakdowns, you can use this information to establish priorities with

floor-by-floor to a pre-agreed schedule, removing the ceiling within

And from an energy rating perspective, the model provides an ability to explore multiple scenarios to find improvements in energy efficiency

pump skids and rooftop pipe modules. All FCUs were also supplied fully assembled.

classroom spaces and installing ductwork and new fan coil units

On those buildings where the pipework loop could not be installed,

(FCUs) incorporating heating and cooling.

or where the building function suited an alternative form of cooling, split systems and evaporative coolers have been installed.

and improve energy star ratings.

By the time practical completion is reached at the Croydon and

As well as educational settings and commercial property, A.G. Coombs

construction hours will have been invested on the project. Some 3,000-

Advisory has deployed its solution across a diverse range of building

plus hours will have also been dedicated to system commissioning.

Wantirna campuses in the last quarter of 2020, approximately 50,000

centres, government infrastructure and warehousing.

The modular nature of the Building Business Intelligence solution also offers the potential to support and improve maintenance regimes

population density against the asset lifecycle information. It allowed

within healthcare settings, particularly as they emerge from the

the property owner/manager to virtually alter the population density

COVID-19 pandemic.

Building Efficiency

heating plants that had all reached the end of their service life,

The project saw existing heating plant in each building replaced

This interactive model was designed to consider energy and

75 Years

Space heating had been provided at each campus via three existing

infrastructure including museums and art galleries, hospitals, data

A.G. Coombs Advisory has deployed a similar software model to

14

mechanical services to improve comfort conditions in campus facilities.

This can include asset management data and information from the

a greater level of certainty.”

Here, the solution allowed the building owner/operator to verify

Swinburne University has undertaken a $19 million upgrade of its

2020-2021

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

15

©ELLA LING/​BPI/​SHUTTERSTOCK

Tournament ready Rapid mobilisation along with the capture and validation of assets

by Walker Fire Protection ensured the Melbourne & Olympic Parks precinct was ready to welcome a record number of fans to the 2020 Australian Open.

P

laying host to hundreds of events that attract more than 2.5 million spectators and visitors annually, the Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) precinct includes major venues such as Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Arena and Margaret

Court Arena as well as the 30,050-seat AAMI Park stadium.

Home of the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament since 1988, the 40-hectare site also hosts rugby, football, netball, basketball, cycling and gymnastics events, as well as music concerts and performances throughout the year.

The Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust engaged Walker Fire Protection in August 2019 to provide preventative, corrective and reactive maintenance across services including fire management, fire detection and fire sprinkler and gas suppression systems, as well as fire and smoke doors and emergency warning systems.

With preparations for the 2020 Australian Open looming, rapid mobilisation was critical in ensuring Walker Fire Protection personnel could familiarise themselves with the site and systems.

Once on site, the team set out on an asset capture and validation exercise, with repairs and asset protection prioritised ahead of the precinct being handed over to Tennis Australia – event manager of the Australian Open in January.

With preparations for the 2020 Australian Open looming, rapid mobilisation was critical in ensuring Walker Fire Protection personnel could familiarise themselves with the site and systems.

the Holden Centre and Eastern Plaza car park remained operational.

The Trust took this opportunity to complete a number of capital works projects, while Walker Fire Protection brought forward annual system inspection and testing.

“As Australia’s premier sports and entertainment precinct, safety and security are of the utmost importance,” said Scott Conza, Building

The implementation of a thorough inspection and testing regime frequency of faults and alarms. Improvements were also made to fire

Despite not being required to maintain an onsite presence during the

detection systems within the main venues.

Australian Open event, Walker Fire Protection remained responsive to callouts during that time and attended to urgent system repairs as required.

Protection team, we are confident that significant progress has been made in the stability and robustness of the fire safety systems serving

Within weeks of the event concluding, the onset of the COVID-19

the venues and facilities,” said Mark Dunshore, General Manager for

in capital expenditure planning and management of the fire systems.

pandemic resulted in Melbourne & Olympic Park’s major venues being

Walker Fire Protection”

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

- Scott Conza, Building Services Manager, Melbourne & OIympic Parks Trust

“Through the technical expertise and efforts of the Walker Fire

Protection’s lifecycle management and analysis will assist the Trust

16

“As Australia’s premier sports and entertainment precinct, safety and security are of the utmost importance.”

Services Manager for the Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust.

resulted in Walker Fire Protection successfully reducing the

Through a collaborative precinct management approach, Walker Fire

closed to events and spectators. Other facilities and spaces such as

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

17

©ELLA LING/​BPI/​SHUTTERSTOCK

Tournament ready Rapid mobilisation along with the capture and validation of assets

by Walker Fire Protection ensured the Melbourne & Olympic Parks precinct was ready to welcome a record number of fans to the 2020 Australian Open.

P

laying host to hundreds of events that attract more than 2.5 million spectators and visitors annually, the Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) precinct includes major venues such as Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Arena and Margaret

Court Arena as well as the 30,050-seat AAMI Park stadium.

Home of the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament since 1988, the 40-hectare site also hosts rugby, football, netball, basketball, cycling and gymnastics events, as well as music concerts and performances throughout the year.

The Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust engaged Walker Fire Protection in August 2019 to provide preventative, corrective and reactive maintenance across services including fire management, fire detection and fire sprinkler and gas suppression systems, as well as fire and smoke doors and emergency warning systems.

With preparations for the 2020 Australian Open looming, rapid mobilisation was critical in ensuring Walker Fire Protection personnel could familiarise themselves with the site and systems.

Once on site, the team set out on an asset capture and validation exercise, with repairs and asset protection prioritised ahead of the precinct being handed over to Tennis Australia – event manager of the Australian Open in January.

With preparations for the 2020 Australian Open looming, rapid mobilisation was critical in ensuring Walker Fire Protection personnel could familiarise themselves with the site and systems.

the Holden Centre and Eastern Plaza car park remained operational.

The Trust took this opportunity to complete a number of capital works projects, while Walker Fire Protection brought forward annual system inspection and testing.

“As Australia’s premier sports and entertainment precinct, safety and security are of the utmost importance,” said Scott Conza, Building

The implementation of a thorough inspection and testing regime frequency of faults and alarms. Improvements were also made to fire

Despite not being required to maintain an onsite presence during the

detection systems within the main venues.

Australian Open event, Walker Fire Protection remained responsive to callouts during that time and attended to urgent system repairs as required.

Protection team, we are confident that significant progress has been made in the stability and robustness of the fire safety systems serving

Within weeks of the event concluding, the onset of the COVID-19

the venues and facilities,” said Mark Dunshore, General Manager for

in capital expenditure planning and management of the fire systems.

pandemic resulted in Melbourne & Olympic Park’s major venues being

Walker Fire Protection”

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

- Scott Conza, Building Services Manager, Melbourne & OIympic Parks Trust

“Through the technical expertise and efforts of the Walker Fire

Protection’s lifecycle management and analysis will assist the Trust

16

“As Australia’s premier sports and entertainment precinct, safety and security are of the utmost importance.”

Services Manager for the Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust.

resulted in Walker Fire Protection successfully reducing the

Through a collaborative precinct management approach, Walker Fire

closed to events and spectators. Other facilities and spaces such as

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

17

Keeping the Kangaroo flying

Building on its extensive experience in the aviation sector, Walker Fire Protection was awarded the tender contract in late 2019 prior to work commencing on site in January 2020.

Working to the consulting engineers’ design, existing flame detectors were decommissioned and removed by Walker Fire Protection.

Existing point-type smoke detectors and heat detectors were retained, which were subsequently incorporated into the new fire detection and occupant warning systems.

To improve the flame detection within both hangars, new triple spectrum infra-red (IR3) flame detectors were mounted to the underside of Hangar 101’s mezzanine floor beam. These have been

Through significant upgrades to the fire detection & warning systems of its aircraft maintenance hangers at Melbourne Airport, Qantas has

carefully positioned and calibrated to provide overlapping coverage across each of the six aircraft maintenance bays.

enhanced its protection of its most valuable assets, its people and the

IR3 flame detectors were also installed within Hangar 141 and positioned

aircraft they maintain.

to provide overlapping coverage of the widebody maintenance bay.

R

eaching practical completion in June 2020, Hangers 101

New emergency warning speakers were installed throughout both

and 141 have had new multi-spectrum flame detectors, fire

hangars as part of a new Building Occupant Warning System.

indicator panels and occupant warning speakers installed

Additionally, the existing foam suppression systems were interfaced

and commissioned as part of the refurbishment works.

to the new fire detection system for automatic initiation.

Building resilience

The larger of the two hangars, Hangar 101, is operated by Qantas

As well as meeting the technical challenges of the project, safe work

Maintenance while Hangar 141 has been used by Jetstar since 2013.

practices were applied while both hangars remained fully operational.

The second of three commercial towers to be completed within the

The mechanical services design also features centrifugal magnetic

$2.9 billion Melbourne Quarter mixed-use precinct, Two Melbourne

bearing high load chillers arranged in a series counterflow

Up to six narrow body aircraft can be parked for maintenance within

Among these operational requirements was that the Walker Fire

Quarter has been designed and built to be resilient to climate change.

arrangement to optimise chiller efficiency. The heating hot water

Hangar 101 at any one time, while Hangar 141 accommodates a single,

Protection project team maintain a 15m clearance from aircraft at all times. A dedicated fire watch was also assigned while fire systems

T

plant features high efficiency condensing hot water generators.

wide body aircraft such as Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Located side-by-side at the southern end of Melbourne Airport’s

were isolated when undertaking the onsite works.

north-south runway, the hangars play an important role in

With aircraft regularly moving in and out of the hangars– including

accommodating maintenance services for both airline fleets.

for unscheduled maintenance – close collaboration between Walker

Both hangars are used around-the-clock where general servicing, system testing, repairs and component replacement is conducted.

Fire Protection and Qantas, as well as multiple stakeholders, was critical. The Walker Fire Protection project team maintained flexibility in its installation program to cater for interruptions and avoid

a dynamic, resilient design by architect Woods Bagot

As lead services coordinator, A.G. Coombs led the project’s building

that combines cutting-edge technology with a strong

information modelling (BIM) design and coordination process.

sustainability focus.

A high-performing glazed façade achieves low ingress leakage rates, while agile, collaborative workplaces are accommodated to support creativity and flexibility in how occupants work and interact with

disruptions to airline operations.

each other.

Midway through the project program, the COVID-19 pandemic – and

Engaged by Lendlease, A.G. Coombs delivered on a mechanical

its impact on the aviation industry – resulted in a large number of aircraft being grounded. Both Qantas and Jetstar took this opportunity to conduct aircraft maintenance, with the hangars often fully occupied while the installation and commissioning of systems was completed. ©QANTAS

he 29-level A-Grade commercial office building showcases

Despite these challenges, Walker Fire Protection completed the project to schedule.

“Qantas is committed to a healthy, safe and secure environment for our people and customers, and the group continues to invest in our capability to deliver safe and efficient aircraft operations,” said Nicholas Lawler, Manager Property Development for Qantas Airways.

“Whilst this was a complex and at times difficult project, Walker Fire Protection performed exceptionally well and delivered a successful outcome that will benefit aircraft maintenance operations for years to come.”

services design by consulting engineer Stantec (formerly Wood & Grieve Engineers).

The fitouts of both the EnergyAustralia anchor tenancy, and that of International Workplace Group’s (IWG) co-working brand Spaces, were also integrated into the fast-tracked base building works program.

While the original mechanical services design targeted 6 star Green in the design finalisation phase so as to meet the client’s aspirations of an improved 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating.

This was largely achieved through the addition of four 15,000l/s pre-

Two Melbourne Quarter also represents A.G. Coombs’ biggest venture

treatment heat recovery air handling units (AHUs), each featuring a 4.5m

yet in the prefabrication and preassembly of plantroom pipework,

diameter sensible heat recovery wheel. Instead of spill air being ejected

main duct assemblies, pipe riser and AHU/VAV valve assemblies.

from the building, it is ducted back to the heat recovery units with the reclaimed heat used to pre-condition the outside air to the AHUs.

the building’s world-class end-of-trip facilities.

To deliver additional energy savings, efficient electronically commutated (EC) plug fans are used on all AHUs. Energy valves installed on the AHU chilled and heating water coils provide accurate flow control at all load conditions. Secondary pumps have been

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

– Kevin Wilson, Project Manager, A.G. Coombs.

Star and 5 star NABERS ratings, A.G. Coombs played an important role

A heat recovery AHU with plate air-to-air heat exchanger also serves

18

“A.G. Coombs has made a significant and valuable contribution to the project, particularly in realising the ambitions to achieve a market leading 6 star Green Star and 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating.”

Over $1 million was invested across 74 separate prefabricated duct and pipework modules, contributing to the pandemic-impacted construction program being met.

“The completion of the second commercial tower is a significant milestone for the Melbourne Quarter precinct and delivers on our claim be Australia’s leading specialist provider of building services.” said Kevin Wilson, Project Manager for A.G. Coombs.

arranged in a duty/duty/standby configuration to optimise pumping

“A.G. Coombs has made a significant and valuable contribution to this

efficiency at part load. High efficiency heating hot water condensing

project, particularly in realising the ambitions to achieve a market

boilers are installed.

leading 6 star Green Star and 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating.”

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

19

Keeping the Kangaroo flying

Building on its extensive experience in the aviation sector, Walker Fire Protection was awarded the tender contract in late 2019 prior to work commencing on site in January 2020.

Working to the consulting engineers’ design, existing flame detectors were decommissioned and removed by Walker Fire Protection.

Existing point-type smoke detectors and heat detectors were retained, which were subsequently incorporated into the new fire detection and occupant warning systems.

To improve the flame detection within both hangars, new triple spectrum infra-red (IR3) flame detectors were mounted to the underside of Hangar 101’s mezzanine floor beam. These have been

Through significant upgrades to the fire detection & warning systems of its aircraft maintenance hangers at Melbourne Airport, Qantas has

carefully positioned and calibrated to provide overlapping coverage across each of the six aircraft maintenance bays.

enhanced its protection of its most valuable assets, its people and the

IR3 flame detectors were also installed within Hangar 141 and positioned

aircraft they maintain.

to provide overlapping coverage of the widebody maintenance bay.

R

eaching practical completion in June 2020, Hangers 101

New emergency warning speakers were installed throughout both

and 141 have had new multi-spectrum flame detectors, fire

hangars as part of a new Building Occupant Warning System.

indicator panels and occupant warning speakers installed

Additionally, the existing foam suppression systems were interfaced

and commissioned as part of the refurbishment works.

to the new fire detection system for automatic initiation.

Building resilience

The larger of the two hangars, Hangar 101, is operated by Qantas

As well as meeting the technical challenges of the project, safe work

Maintenance while Hangar 141 has been used by Jetstar since 2013.

practices were applied while both hangars remained fully operational.

The second of three commercial towers to be completed within the

The mechanical services design also features centrifugal magnetic

$2.9 billion Melbourne Quarter mixed-use precinct, Two Melbourne

bearing high load chillers arranged in a series counterflow

Up to six narrow body aircraft can be parked for maintenance within

Among these operational requirements was that the Walker Fire

Quarter has been designed and built to be resilient to climate change.

arrangement to optimise chiller efficiency. The heating hot water

Hangar 101 at any one time, while Hangar 141 accommodates a single,

Protection project team maintain a 15m clearance from aircraft at all times. A dedicated fire watch was also assigned while fire systems

T

plant features high efficiency condensing hot water generators.

wide body aircraft such as Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Located side-by-side at the southern end of Melbourne Airport’s

were isolated when undertaking the onsite works.

north-south runway, the hangars play an important role in

With aircraft regularly moving in and out of the hangars– including

accommodating maintenance services for both airline fleets.

for unscheduled maintenance – close collaboration between Walker

Both hangars are used around-the-clock where general servicing, system testing, repairs and component replacement is conducted.

Fire Protection and Qantas, as well as multiple stakeholders, was critical. The Walker Fire Protection project team maintained flexibility in its installation program to cater for interruptions and avoid

a dynamic, resilient design by architect Woods Bagot

As lead services coordinator, A.G. Coombs led the project’s building

that combines cutting-edge technology with a strong

information modelling (BIM) design and coordination process.

sustainability focus.

A high-performing glazed façade achieves low ingress leakage rates, while agile, collaborative workplaces are accommodated to support creativity and flexibility in how occupants work and interact with

disruptions to airline operations.

each other.

Midway through the project program, the COVID-19 pandemic – and

Engaged by Lendlease, A.G. Coombs delivered on a mechanical

its impact on the aviation industry – resulted in a large number of aircraft being grounded. Both Qantas and Jetstar took this opportunity to conduct aircraft maintenance, with the hangars often fully occupied while the installation and commissioning of systems was completed. ©QANTAS

he 29-level A-Grade commercial office building showcases

Despite these challenges, Walker Fire Protection completed the project to schedule.

“Qantas is committed to a healthy, safe and secure environment for our people and customers, and the group continues to invest in our capability to deliver safe and efficient aircraft operations,” said Nicholas Lawler, Manager Property Development for Qantas Airways.

“Whilst this was a complex and at times difficult project, Walker Fire Protection performed exceptionally well and delivered a successful outcome that will benefit aircraft maintenance operations for years to come.”

services design by consulting engineer Stantec (formerly Wood & Grieve Engineers).

The fitouts of both the EnergyAustralia anchor tenancy, and that of International Workplace Group’s (IWG) co-working brand Spaces, were also integrated into the fast-tracked base building works program.

While the original mechanical services design targeted 6 star Green in the design finalisation phase so as to meet the client’s aspirations of an improved 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating.

This was largely achieved through the addition of four 15,000l/s pre-

Two Melbourne Quarter also represents A.G. Coombs’ biggest venture

treatment heat recovery air handling units (AHUs), each featuring a 4.5m

yet in the prefabrication and preassembly of plantroom pipework,

diameter sensible heat recovery wheel. Instead of spill air being ejected

main duct assemblies, pipe riser and AHU/VAV valve assemblies.

from the building, it is ducted back to the heat recovery units with the reclaimed heat used to pre-condition the outside air to the AHUs.

the building’s world-class end-of-trip facilities.

To deliver additional energy savings, efficient electronically commutated (EC) plug fans are used on all AHUs. Energy valves installed on the AHU chilled and heating water coils provide accurate flow control at all load conditions. Secondary pumps have been

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

– Kevin Wilson, Project Manager, A.G. Coombs.

Star and 5 star NABERS ratings, A.G. Coombs played an important role

A heat recovery AHU with plate air-to-air heat exchanger also serves

18

“A.G. Coombs has made a significant and valuable contribution to the project, particularly in realising the ambitions to achieve a market leading 6 star Green Star and 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating.”

Over $1 million was invested across 74 separate prefabricated duct and pipework modules, contributing to the pandemic-impacted construction program being met.

“The completion of the second commercial tower is a significant milestone for the Melbourne Quarter precinct and delivers on our claim be Australia’s leading specialist provider of building services.” said Kevin Wilson, Project Manager for A.G. Coombs.

arranged in a duty/duty/standby configuration to optimise pumping

“A.G. Coombs has made a significant and valuable contribution to this

efficiency at part load. High efficiency heating hot water condensing

project, particularly in realising the ambitions to achieve a market

boilers are installed.

leading 6 star Green Star and 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating.”

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

19

©SHUTTERSTOCK

Banking on data

ITM have deployed a dedicated team of six personnel on each site, made up of a site manager, lead operator and a crew of technicians who work to carefully managed shifts around-the-clock, seven days a week. Together, these teams ensure continuity at each site to better manage scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, maintaining the

From personal banking to sharemarket trading and foreign exchange, the ANZ relies on the integrity of its data centres to process millions of transactions daily.

online status of the data halls and limiting the impact of disruptions in the unlikely event of uncontrolled outages.

Bringing a fresh perspective and approach to the operation of the data centres, A.G. Coombs has worked to maintain the condition rating of existing systems and provide added value to the ANZ.

F

or many years, the A.G. Coombs Group of companies

three-month mobilisation and familiarisation program preceding

has worked closely with the ANZ across a number of its

official commencement of the contract in October 2018.

properties, including the bank’s headquarters in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct.

This included communication with the incumbent management team, mock drills, training and the completion of a detailed

But it was the Group’s extensive experience in data centre

mobilisation checklist and tracker. Weekly meetings were also held

management that led to the A.G. Coombs Integrated Technical

with the client to demonstrate progress.

Management (ITM) business being awarded the facility management

This has included the management and maintenance of backup generators and uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) to ensure continuity in the power supply, as well as identifying and understanding system operations to maintain the required levels of redundancy in the facility.

Additionally, A.G. Coombs applies analysis and reporting to improved thermal load management, and applied data analytics to manage

Under its contract, ITM have stewardship over most aspects of the

electrical load and the power usage effectiveness (PUE) of each site –

facilities’ management.

a metric used to determine the energy efficiency of data centres.

bank’s operations, processes and transactions.

All specialist mechanical and fire services are provided through ITM

“ANZ is a global business, and our data centres are critical to

by A.G. Coombs Servicing and Walker Fire Protection respectively,

supporting our operations both here in Australia and around the

Charged with the task of maintaining the absolute reliability, capacity

while ITM is responsible for all other external maintenance providers

world,” said Daryl O’Rourke, Technology Area Lead – Data Centre

and efficiency of this important infrastructure, ITM conducted a

except security and cleaning services.

Management Services for ANZ.

contract for the ANZ’s two data centres in 2018.

Located in suburban Melbourne, these data centres underpin the

20

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

“ANZ is a global business, and our data centres are critical to supporting our operations both here in Australia and around the world.”

– Daryl O’Rourke, Technology Area Lead, Data Centre Management Services for ANZ

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

21

©SHUTTERSTOCK

Banking on data

ITM have deployed a dedicated team of six personnel on each site, made up of a site manager, lead operator and a crew of technicians who work to carefully managed shifts around-the-clock, seven days a week. Together, these teams ensure continuity at each site to better manage scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, maintaining the

From personal banking to sharemarket trading and foreign exchange, the ANZ relies on the integrity of its data centres to process millions of transactions daily.

online status of the data halls and limiting the impact of disruptions in the unlikely event of uncontrolled outages.

Bringing a fresh perspective and approach to the operation of the data centres, A.G. Coombs has worked to maintain the condition rating of existing systems and provide added value to the ANZ.

F

or many years, the A.G. Coombs Group of companies

three-month mobilisation and familiarisation program preceding

has worked closely with the ANZ across a number of its

official commencement of the contract in October 2018.

properties, including the bank’s headquarters in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct.

This included communication with the incumbent management team, mock drills, training and the completion of a detailed

But it was the Group’s extensive experience in data centre

mobilisation checklist and tracker. Weekly meetings were also held

management that led to the A.G. Coombs Integrated Technical

with the client to demonstrate progress.

Management (ITM) business being awarded the facility management

This has included the management and maintenance of backup generators and uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) to ensure continuity in the power supply, as well as identifying and understanding system operations to maintain the required levels of redundancy in the facility.

Additionally, A.G. Coombs applies analysis and reporting to improved thermal load management, and applied data analytics to manage

Under its contract, ITM have stewardship over most aspects of the

electrical load and the power usage effectiveness (PUE) of each site –

facilities’ management.

a metric used to determine the energy efficiency of data centres.

bank’s operations, processes and transactions.

All specialist mechanical and fire services are provided through ITM

“ANZ is a global business, and our data centres are critical to

by A.G. Coombs Servicing and Walker Fire Protection respectively,

supporting our operations both here in Australia and around the

Charged with the task of maintaining the absolute reliability, capacity

while ITM is responsible for all other external maintenance providers

world,” said Daryl O’Rourke, Technology Area Lead – Data Centre

and efficiency of this important infrastructure, ITM conducted a

except security and cleaning services.

Management Services for ANZ.

contract for the ANZ’s two data centres in 2018.

Located in suburban Melbourne, these data centres underpin the

20

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

“ANZ is a global business, and our data centres are critical to supporting our operations both here in Australia and around the world.”

– Daryl O’Rourke, Technology Area Lead, Data Centre Management Services for ANZ

2020-2021

Building Efficiency

75 Years

21

News

A.G. Coombs Continued Support for KGI REAL Healthy Program A long-time supporter of KGI (Korin Gamadji Institute) and Official Facilities Maintenance Partner of Richmond Football Club,

A.G. Coombs: Celebrates 75 Years, 1945—2020 For 75 years, A.G. Coombs has been

Royal Children’s Hospital complex in

building services in prominent facilities

Bringing Buildings to Life, providing

Melbourne – at the time Australia’s largest

throughout Australia.

specialist building services to Australia’s

mechanical services contract.

buildings.

Today A.G. Coombs is playing a leading Allan Coombs played leading role in the

Headquartered in Melbourne, A.G. Coombs was established by Allan George Coombs in August 1945. The first big break came with the installation of plumbing at the

establishment of industry standards and trade-based training for the industry, and the founding of the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association.

role in industry development; prominent in the digitisation of the design, delivery and maintenance of buildings, the shift to modular off site construction and in asset management and use of analytics

1956 Olympic Village followed in the

With its reputation for technical

in the operation of facilities – lifting

sixties with the air conditioning and

excellence, A.G. Coombs has gone on

productivity, improving health and safety

mechanical services at the then new

to design, install, maintain and operate

and reducing environmental impacts.

COVID-19 Resources – Supporting Critical Construction and Facility Operations

‘REAL Healthy’ program.

REAL Healthy provides participants with a 12-week health and wellbeing program including access to Aligned Leisure managed health and recreation facilities.

To provide useful and credible building services information to building owners and managers, A.G. Coombs technical experts prepared an extensive series of COVID-19 related Advisory Notes and other guidance material. The Advisory Notes were developed to address the most common issues being faced by our customers and included: + HVAC and COVID-19 + Building Services Operation & Maintenance in COVID-19 + Returning to Operation from COVID-19 + Cooling Tower Operation & COVID-19 + NABERS & COVID-19 + Humidity Control – Using HVAC to

Designed and built by a consortium

A.G. Coombs is providing support for the KGI

Help Reduce Infection Spread

With support from the Federal Government, REAL Healthy is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples between the ages of 13 and 25.

+ Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for HVAC Applications + Modifying HVAC Systems to Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission

During the program, participants take part in games, learn about the KGI’s values, Confidence and Resilience, Health and Wellbeing and other programs and

+ Post COVID-19 Occupant Access

opportunities with the KGI.

and Building Security

A.G. Coombs is a presenting partner for one

The guidance material is available at

of the four KGI REAL Programs; a four-day

www.agcoombs.com.au

leadership program for students.

led by Lendlease, the new 30,000-seat sports stadium forms a key part of the

First Stadium in the world to Achieve LEED V4 Gold Certification

22

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

transformation and revitalisation of Parramatta in western Sydney.

A.G. Coombs is pleased to have played a key

$28 Million Grant to Transform the Design and Production of Buildings in Australia

role in the construction of the $360 million facility. Working closely with Lendlease

Monash University, Lendlease, The

The Building 4.0 CRC research initiative

and consultants Aurecon, A.G. Coombs’

University of Melbourne, Donovan Group,

is focused on use of digital solutions, new

early engagement as design and construct

BlueScope, Sumitomo Forestry and CSR,

products and processes aiming to transform

mechanical services contractor afforded the

along with A.G. Coombs Group and 23

Australia’s building industry to a tech-

project team the opportunity to influence

other partners, have been successful in a

enabled, collaborative future where the

building and systems design contributing to

bid for $28 million to fund an initiative to

customer is at the centre of each building

the sustainable outcome.

revolutionise the building industry.

experience and buildings are not only better,

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and

The research initiative, named the Building

Environmental Design, is an internationally

4.0 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), has

recognised green building certification system

been awarded funding through the Federal

operated by the US Green Building Council.

Government CRC Program.

2020-2021

but created faster, cheaper and safer.

Building Efficiency

75 Years

23

News

A.G. Coombs Continued Support for KGI REAL Healthy Program A long-time supporter of KGI (Korin Gamadji Institute) and Official Facilities Maintenance Partner of Richmond Football Club,

A.G. Coombs: Celebrates 75 Years, 1945—2020 For 75 years, A.G. Coombs has been

Royal Children’s Hospital complex in

building services in prominent facilities

Bringing Buildings to Life, providing

Melbourne – at the time Australia’s largest

throughout Australia.

specialist building services to Australia’s

mechanical services contract.

buildings.

Today A.G. Coombs is playing a leading Allan Coombs played leading role in the

Headquartered in Melbourne, A.G. Coombs was established by Allan George Coombs in August 1945. The first big break came with the installation of plumbing at the

establishment of industry standards and trade-based training for the industry, and the founding of the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association.

role in industry development; prominent in the digitisation of the design, delivery and maintenance of buildings, the shift to modular off site construction and in asset management and use of analytics

1956 Olympic Village followed in the

With its reputation for technical

in the operation of facilities – lifting

sixties with the air conditioning and

excellence, A.G. Coombs has gone on

productivity, improving health and safety

mechanical services at the then new

to design, install, maintain and operate

and reducing environmental impacts.

COVID-19 Resources – Supporting Critical Construction and Facility Operations

‘REAL Healthy’ program.

REAL Healthy provides participants with a 12-week health and wellbeing program including access to Aligned Leisure managed health and recreation facilities.

To provide useful and credible building services information to building owners and managers, A.G. Coombs technical experts prepared an extensive series of COVID-19 related Advisory Notes and other guidance material. The Advisory Notes were developed to address the most common issues being faced by our customers and included: + HVAC and COVID-19 + Building Services Operation & Maintenance in COVID-19 + Returning to Operation from COVID-19 + Cooling Tower Operation & COVID-19 + NABERS & COVID-19 + Humidity Control – Using HVAC to

Designed and built by a consortium

A.G. Coombs is providing support for the KGI

Help Reduce Infection Spread

With support from the Federal Government, REAL Healthy is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples between the ages of 13 and 25.

+ Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for HVAC Applications + Modifying HVAC Systems to Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission

During the program, participants take part in games, learn about the KGI’s values, Confidence and Resilience, Health and Wellbeing and other programs and

+ Post COVID-19 Occupant Access

opportunities with the KGI.

and Building Security

A.G. Coombs is a presenting partner for one

The guidance material is available at

of the four KGI REAL Programs; a four-day

www.agcoombs.com.au

leadership program for students.

led by Lendlease, the new 30,000-seat sports stadium forms a key part of the

First Stadium in the world to Achieve LEED V4 Gold Certification

22

75 Years

Building Efficiency

2020-2021

transformation and revitalisation of Parramatta in western Sydney.

A.G. Coombs is pleased to have played a key

$28 Million Grant to Transform the Design and Production of Buildings in Australia

role in the construction of the $360 million facility. Working closely with Lendlease

Monash University, Lendlease, The

The Building 4.0 CRC research initiative

and consultants Aurecon, A.G. Coombs’

University of Melbourne, Donovan Group,

is focused on use of digital solutions, new

early engagement as design and construct

BlueScope, Sumitomo Forestry and CSR,

products and processes aiming to transform

mechanical services contractor afforded the

along with A.G. Coombs Group and 23

Australia’s building industry to a tech-

project team the opportunity to influence

other partners, have been successful in a

enabled, collaborative future where the

building and systems design contributing to

bid for $28 million to fund an initiative to

customer is at the centre of each building

the sustainable outcome.

revolutionise the building industry.

experience and buildings are not only better,

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and

The research initiative, named the Building

Environmental Design, is an internationally

4.0 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), has

recognised green building certification system

been awarded funding through the Federal

operated by the US Green Building Council.

Government CRC Program.

2020-2021

but created faster, cheaper and safer.

Building Efficiency

75 Years

23

2020-2021

CSL’s Southern Aurora

A.G. Coombs Group

Sydney’s new arena

The A.G. Coombs Group is a privately owned Australian group of companies that provides an integrated range of technical services for all systems in buildings, from design through to installation, commissioning, maintenance and ongoing operation and management. Operating for 75 years, A.G. Coombs has a national capability with major operations on Australia’s eastern seaboard.

Maintaining an icon Banking on data

Melbourne 03 9248 2700 | Sydney 02 8020 6000 | Canberra 02 6217 5600 Brisbane 07 3648 0500 | agcoombs.com.au

A.G. Coombs Projects A.G. Coombs Projects leverage a National Centre of Excellence approach, where teamwork and project management skills set the company apart. This approach also provides high end engineering, project management and site personnel to deliver successful projects throughout Australia.

03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/projects/

A.G. Coombs Service A.G. Coombs Service is a specialist provider of air conditioning, mechanical services, building controls and bundled services maintenance. Delivering 24/7 building support, the company is a preferred supplier to the Facilities Management Industry and provides professionally managed, highly qualified technical staff to achieve improved reliability, lower costs and regulatory compliance in commercial, retail and industrial buildings.

03 9676 4600 | agcoombs.com.au/service/

A.G. Coombs Advisory A.G. Coombs Advisory provides quality advice and consulting services across numerous disciplines including mechanical, electrical, hydraulics and fire protection services and building technologies.

A.G. Coombs Advisory is Australia’s leading provider of Green Star Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA) services for projects requiring Green Star ‘As Built’ Certification.

03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/advisory/

Walker Fire Protection Walker Fire Protection provides a range of fire protection and detection services, from high end project engineering advice and consultancy through to concept and detailed design, installation of all types of fire detection and suppression systems, and ongoing inspection, testing, maintenance and regulatory compliance support.

03 9279 7100 | agcoombs.com.au/walkerfire/

Integrated Technical Management Integrated Technical Management is a high quality provider of Technical Facilities Management specialising in technically complex and critical facilities such as data and internet centres, major commercial complexes and sophisticated industrial plants.

A.G. Coombs Group Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra.

Head Office:

www.agcoombs.com.au

St Vincent’s on the Park COVID-19 hospital in Melbourne.

Sustainability: this publication is printed on HannoArt Plus Silk, an FSC certified paper manufactured with ISO 14001 EMS accreditation and elemental chlorine free pulps.

© KANE JARROD PHOTOGRAPHY

03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/itm/

26 Cochranes Road (PO Box 1136) Moorabbin, VIC 3189 General Enquiry: 03 9248 2700

Pandemic ready