Melbourne Market

Victoria’s Melbourne Markets relocated from West Melbourne to Epping resulting in a modern, innovative and efficient fresh produce trading and distribution precinct.

A.G. Coombs Projects delivered the central refrigeration plant to the new Melbourne Wholesale Fruit Vegetable & Flower Market; the core of the new Melbourne Markets precinct.

In conjunction with Oomiak Industrial Refrigeration, a new Ammonia and Propylene refrigeration system was installed. The installation was one of the largest of its kind in Victoria, and is providing cooling to the market’s tenants and produce alike.

The key challenge was the sheer size and scale of the project, which called for large underground chilled water pipes to be laid during construction. A.G. Coombs maximised the use of its off-site integrated prefabrication workshop to design and assemble 124 skid mounted heat exchanger assemblies and 900mm pipework support structures, which were transported to site for installation. The use of prefabrication methodologies helped to reduce installation time and risks, and improve on-site safety.

Read more about the Melbourne Market in the Ecolibrium Magazine article, “The Market Mover“.

Constructing such a sizable facility as the new Melbourne Markets demands the skills and experience of trusted service providers. A.G. Coombs has a proven track record in effectively managing the complexities brought about by large-scale projects. Adding to this is their integrated prefabrication capability, which is of significant benefit to Lendlease in reducing risk and improving on-site safety.

Ed Farrell, Services Manager, Lendlease

Project Overview

Project Name: Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable & Flower Market

Location: VIC

Client: Lendlease

Project Value: $14.8m

Year Completed: 2013

Project Type

Construction - new build (design, installation and commissioning of new central refrigeration plant; integrated prefabrication)

Outcomes

  • Successful installation and Stage 1 commissioning of the large-scale central refrigeration plant.
  • Use of integrated off-site prefabrication to help address the project’s technical challenges and improve installation time and on-site safety.
  • Flexible installation delivered allowing for additional future tenancies, if required.
  • All works delivered in accordance with the required environmental standards for a 4 Star Green Star rating under the Industrial Pilot Tool.
  • A.G. Coombs achieved Zero Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) across the project.

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