dates: june 2017 – december 2019
location: tindal, northern territory
client: lend lease building
budget: $40,000,000
works: concrete form, reinforcement, pour structures and pavements
project overview
The RAAF Base Tindal is located 15km from the town of Katherine and is undergoing a 5th redevelopment project. The Australian government is investing approximately $470 million on providing new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure to support the introduction of the joint strike fighter F-35A aircraft fleet based at Tindal Airbase in Katherine.
Mitcon Projects was the principle FRP contractor over two separate defence managed contracts for this project. Over the course of the project the Mitcon team poured circa 23,000m3 of structural concrete, 15,000m3 (35,000m2) of aircraft pavement concrete and 6,600m3 (31,000m2) of lean mix sub base. In addition they installed 3500t of reinforcement, 31,000m2 of 5mm primer seal, 25,000 dowels (±3mm tolerance) and 17,000lm of saw-cuts and joint sealant.
The structures contact included a multi-story HQ/Hanger complex, multi-storey training facility, maintenance workshop and various other smaller buildings. The pavement contract included aircraft pavement, lean mix subbase, stormwater pits, flame traps, grated drains and inground stormwater lines.
scope of works
The provision of all labour, plant and equipment for the completion of the concrete works package including survey/set out, detailed excavation, reinforcement fix, formwork, concrete place and finish for the footings, ground slabs, walls/columns, suspended slabs, aprons, pavements and the stormwater system in the various buildings, structures and pavements.
key outcomes
Mitcon Projects is committed to employing local and indigenous labour for all of its projects Australia wide. Since 2014, when Mitcon Projects first started working in the Northern Territory, we have been able to source the majority of our labour locally and this project was no different employing a large number of Katherine locals. In addition we also exceeded the project specific levels relating to indigenous employment and are particularly proud of our efforts in this area.
The Mitcon site team were focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for the project and actively engaged with all parties to bring value engineered solutions to the table as early as possible. This engagement enabled the team to pre-empt any issues that may have jeopardised the successful completion of works. An example of this was the bespoke design and fabrication of a purpose built formwork system for the pavements that enabled the work crew to efficiently erect, strip and remove forms whilst meeting the very tight dowel position tolerances.
Working in Katherine provided numerous environmental challenges for the Mitcon Projects Site team. Around 40% of the days reached a temperature above 35 degrees with a significant number exceeding 40 degrees. In addition to this, the annual rainfall averages approximately 1100mm which generally occurs between November and February. Active management of the project schedule and labour resources meant that we were able to respond to conditions quickly and maintain program throughout the works.