| McMahon Services
have recently completed Stage 2 at Woomera, this being one of a
number of projects carried out over the past 2 years.
The refurbishment of infrastructure entailed
asbestos removal, refurbishment of buildings and some demolition.
Range E is 40km west of Woomera on the prohibited
area, and was detailed to have a number of redundant buildings demolished.
This entailed, in some instances, the removal of asbestos materials
prior to demolition.
Taxiways on the air strip from the existing
runway back to the aprons of the facilities were rebuilt. This included
building a new bitumen apron for the parking of planes in front
of hanger No3 as well as the demolition of some buildings in the
Technical Area. Also some asbestos removal work was done on the
external faces of the existing control tower. This tower was totally
refurbished with new Colourbond sheeting to the external walls.
A 25KVA emergency generator was installed along with associated
switchboards and electrical wiring for emergency lighting. All internal
wiring was removed and replaced with new distribution boards on
each level. Painting was carried out within the entire tower including
amenities area at ground level along with the services parking bays.
The existing fencing around the air strip was removed and replaced
with new cyclone mesh fencing for security purposes. A new fuel
farm was built to replace the old redundant system including new
tanks, a building structure over the tanks, along with the pumps,
filter and pipe work. All this was incorporated into a fenced compound.
A new fire sprinkler system was installed within the hangers along
with a new diesel pump and storage tanks for fire fighting purposes.
A fire detection system was also installed within the ARDU building
and interconnected to the Woomera Emergency Services. New bitumen
roads were built within the Technical Area to provide access to
all of the infrastructure.
Demolition took place to the old swimming pool
which had been replaced with a new one. Also new fire detection
systems were installed in a number of buildings in the shopping
centre complex and accommodation blocks.
Repairs were carried out in some sections of
the pipe line to replace the pipe supports, including new corrosion
protection to the steel pipe work. New concrete culverts were installed
on Range 'E' pipe line and earth embankments to provide access for
the pastoralist over the above ground pipework.
This building, which is located 40km west of
Woomera on the prohibited area, was scheduled to be totally refurbished.
Four outbuildings, used by the Department of Defence for tracking
purposes, were also upgraded to include new air conditioning systems,
painting and floor coverings.
- Asbestos sheeting was removed from all the external faces
and replaced with new Colourbond wall sheeting.
- A new water proof membrane was installed over the entire concrete
roof area.
- New windows and doors were installed around the building.
- The entire lighting and power system was removed and replaced
with a main switchboard and multiple distribution boards. New
lights and power requirements to the entire building were installed.
- Carpets were installed and painting was done within the building.
- A new air conditioning system was installed to both the ground
floor and first floor of the building.
- A combination of fire sprinkler and fire detection systems
were installed throughout the building.
- Minor civil works, including storm water and bitumen paving,
were carried out internally
Extensive building works that were carried out
during Stage 2 consisted of the following:
New road works were carried out around the shopping
centre, also on the southern side of the village, where the major
accommodation blocks were located. Within the sewerage treatment
plant works took place to upgrade the existing plant. This consisted
of repairs, sealing of cracks and building new safety handrails
to provide a plant which would continue to serve Woomera for a few
more years.
The main runway was closed down for a six week
period whilst sections of the bitumen runway were being removed
and replaced. This was due to the uneven surface causing concern
to heavy planes landing at Woomera. Some demolition was carried
out within hanger 3 and a new toilet block was built within the
ARDU Building.
At Range 'E' a new fire diesel pump set was
installed at the front entrance. This was connected to existing
water storage tanks and a new fire main installed to each of the
buildings. In addition a new domestic water supply was connected
to each of the buildings.
All of the above works carried out by the Department
of Defence are to improve the infrastructure of Woomera, which hopefully
will encourage other countries to come to Australia to carry out
testing.
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