Liverpool Hospital is undergoing a major upgrade. The Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct is a $900 million redevelopment of Liverpool Hospital and a new education and research hub.

As part of the enabling works Ferrycarrig carried out the installation of inground utilities infrastructure including stormwater, power, communications, and fire service assets. The works also involved the modification of several existing structures within the Hospital, and the construction of a new road to facilitate future builds.

Ferrycarrig carried out 2 separable portions of the enabling works for the future Hospital upgrades. Separable portion 1 was comprised of 2 Endeavour Energy contestable packages.

• Package 1 was a HV first feeder direct from an Endeavour Zone Sub to the Hospital over a distance of 1.6km.
• Package 2 was the distribution of the power around the hospital comprising of 3x switching stations and 2.5km of cabling.
• Further to the Endeavour scope, Ferrycarrig installed a builders supply kiosk as to facilitate power to the main works site and tower cranes.

Separable portion 2 included the installation of inground utilities infrastructure including stormwater, power, communications, and fire service assets. The works also involved the modification of several existing structures within the Hospital, and the construction of a new road to facilitate future builds.
Ferrycarrig’s scope of work included the installation of the following utility assets:

• 600Lm of stormwater from 1200dia to 600dia and up to 5m deep
• 400Lm of stormwater varying from 600dia to 375dia
• 2x environmental stormwater units installed to a depth of 5m (Gross pollutant trap and jellyfish)
• 1000Lm of power and telecommunications infrastructure for future upgrades
• 250m of high-pressure fire service including an above-ground reduction station
• Construction of new Oxygen and vent shaft structures

A major challenge was executing a design and construct project whilst coordinating with the client’s other trades and the Hospital simultaneously. Ferrycarrig continually resolved issues by holding open-forum conversations between the client and Health Infrastructure NSW to resolve design issues and mitigate program delay. With every issue, Ferrycarrig presented potential options to expedite delay.

To complete the new road construction, the final 3 weeks of the project required 4 continuous shutdowns as to tie the new road network into the existing hospital infrastructure. This was once of the most disruptive tasks as it impacted both patient and workforce commutes. This was successfully completed with minor interruptions as Ferrycarrig in amalgamation with Roberts & Health Infrastructure completed an extensive notification process as well as provided sufficient detouring and parking alternatives during the works.

To navigate the sensitive nature of working near and inside an operational Hospital, and interactions with patients and hospital traffic, such as ambulances and the fire service whose access can never be restricted, Ferrycarrig developed a comprehensive site-specific induction process, which was delivered to all Ferrycarrig crews prior to commencement, ensuring everyone was fully aware of Health Infrastructure NSW requirements and concerns. The team also re-sequenced tasks to prevent any disruptions to the hospital, including ambulances, with both day and night works based on forecasted traffic volumes and sensitive areas.

The demolition and construction of a new vent shaft was part of the Hospital’s service tunnel, which contained essential services for the operations of the hospital such as oxygen pipes. Very strict approval processes were in place for any disruption to the service tunnel, set by Health Infrastructure. We developed detailed methodologies for each stage of the works, which then proceeded through a rigid approval process to the Client and to Health Infrastructure which could often take up to 2-weeks to finalise.

The project team’s experience and problem-solving approach was a key element to resolve numerous design issues in a short timeframe and deliver a high-quality program as a result.

The project has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the Excellence at the 2021 Civil Contractors Federation Earth Awards in the Excellence in Civil Construction $5 to $10 Million award category.