Port Melville Logistics Hub – Accommodation Village

Client

Charisma Energy Ltd / Teras Australia Pty Ltd

Location

Tiwi Islands (Port Melville, Melville Island), NT

Value

$13.7 million

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Multi-faceted accommodation village construction and installation in the remote Tiwi Islands.

The Tiwi Islands, located 80km north of Darwin is made up of a number of small islands including Melville Island.

McMahon Services in partnership with Intract, were engaged to complete the Design and Construct contract at Port Melville, for a 150 man accommodation village and ancillary infrastructure, as part of a port hub logistics development.

The multi-faceted project utilised a number of our in-house service divisions including, civil, building, electrical, plumbing, hydraulics, carpentry, roofing, data & communications and cranage.

McMahon Services were responsible for all design components of the infrastructure, gaining certification and managing trades.

The accommodation units are built offshore in Thailand and Vietnam, then shipped to the islands. The project included all earthworks, stormwater drainage, underground infrastructure, sewer, electrical, communications (fibre optic and satellite), and landscaping, potable and fire water.

Stage 1 scope included delivery of the following 60 building modules:

  • 200 person commercial kitchen of 10 building modules;
  • Two laundry buildings with linen stores, chemical storage and ablution;
  • 30 accommodation buildings with 120 ensuited rooms;
  • Administration block comprising of four building modules, climate controlled data room, first aid and meeting room;
  • Ablution block, commercial ice and cold water supply / storage, active recreation with movie room, wet mess / recreation room and outdoor table settings.

Design and construct portions of the project were as follows:

  • Modular waste water treatment capable of treating 55K/L per day of treated waste water;
  • Potable water treatment plant capable of producing 100K/L + per day of treated potable water;
  • 100% duty / backup modular fire plant infrastructure and power station;
  • Synchronised multi-sized diesel power station and bulk fuel storage;
  • Infrastructure (WWTP, WTP, PS and Fire) with monitoring capabilities via web or GSM and SCADA;
  • Control for remote access and control of infrastructure;
  • 2000m² of above-ground pre-fabricated walkways comprising composite wood grained decking;
  • Outdoor entertainment including shade sails, commercial BBQ’s and outdoor settings.

At it’s peak, there was up to 32 personnel working on the project, with a steady flow of 14 during majority of the project. This included general labour, skilled tradespeople, WHSEQ site safety, supervisors and management. Tiwi Islands Training & Employment Board assisted with providing local Indigenous employment outcomes for the project.

Intract and McMahon Services were able to deliver the project with 75% company-owned plant and equipment, supplemented with 3rd party plant hire equipment from local Darwin businesses.

Special features of the design include the use of a galvanized screw pile footing system to eliminate the use of concrete typically used in these types of projects. This was undertaken utilising McMahon Services’ company-owned equipment.

Intract and McMahon Services were flexible and innovative in providing solutions to deliver this challenging project. Challenges faced have included working around Northern Territory’s weather conditions, logistics, the Christmas break period, and shipping schedules.

McMahon Services’ successful management of delivery logistics has been paramount to ensuring the construction program was maintained.

The Tiwi Land Council, is a representative body for Aboriginal Land Rights in the Northern Territory. McMahon Services and Intract engaged the Council and local Purlingimpi community throughout the project where possible.

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