Princes Pier

Port Melbourne’s historic Princes Pier was closed to public access in the early 1990s due to the poor deck and timber condition.

Initiated by Major Projects Victoria and funded by the Victorian Government, the Princes Pier restoration project saw the replacement of the first 196 metres of the pier’s deck, as well as refurbishment of its heritage listed gatehouse.

Head Contractor Fitzgerald Constructions Australia appointed A.G. Coombs to undertake mechanical works on the gatehouse, including the installation and commissioning of new exhaust systems and specialist air conditioning units that are cooled by the surrounding sea water.

The option of a sea water condenser system provided a more sustainable system by utilising a renewable energy source, yet installation proved particularly challenging. Many components had to be carefully sourced and tailor-made to suit the very specific design requirements, with the system having to pump, treat and filter the sea water.

The pier and its gatehouse reopened to the public in December 2011.

Princes Pier is an important part of Victoria’s maritime history. As such, it was critical to appoint the industry’s experts across all facets of the restoration project to help secure the future of this historic landmark. A.G. Coombs has a strong background in complex mechanical works, with proven project outcomes. Their knowledge of, and expertise in, specialist facilities and systems played a key part in the project’s success, with particular regards to the successful delivery of the fully operational, environmentally sound sea water condenser system that will allow future commercial use of the 1935 gatehouse, and that will help to keep its history alive.

Martyn Charlton, Project Manager, Fitzgerald, Constructions Australia

Project Overview

Project Name: Princes Pier

Location: VIC

Client: Fitzgerald Constructions Australia

Project Value: $400k

Year Completed: 2012

Project Type

Mechanical works – installation and commissioning

Outcomes

  • Completion Successful delivery of complex mechanical works.
  • Reduced client cost and carbon footprint following the specialist installation and commissioning and resulting efficient operation of the sea water condenser system.

Latest News & Publications

See all news & publications

Latest Case Studies

Industrial

Maton Guitars

Maton Guitars reached out to A.G. Coombs in late 2020 for assistance in improving the internal space conditions of the factory. This led A.G. Coombs A...

read more

Telecommunications & Data Centres

iSeek Data Centre

A.G. Coombs played a key role in the design development and virtual construction of the 3D BIM model. Data Centres are heavily populated with electric...

read more

Commercial

3 Parramatta Square

A pre-fabricated, modular mechanical services solution has contributed to the successful delivery of the second stage of the $3.2 billion Parramatta S...

read more

Healthcare

St Vincent's Hospital on the Park

As part of the Victorian Government’s $1.9 billion funding boost to increase the health system’s surge capacity and provide more hospital beds to ...

read more

Pharmaceutical and Controlled Environments

Alphapharm Production Building Services Upgrade

Engaged in the role of Principal Contractor, all works required for the project were completed under the direct management and control of A.G. Coombs....

read more

Education

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

Building on its reputation in the recital hall space A.G. Coombs played a key role in the commissioning of the new Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (...

read more

Commercial

25 King Street, Brisbane

At the height of almost 45 metres and built as a part of a continuing $2.9 billion regeneration of Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds, 25 King is Australiaâ...

read more

Commercial

MLC Centre - Martin Place

When completed in 1977, the iconic Harry Seidler-designed MLC Centre held the title of being the world’s tallest reinforced concrete office building...

read more

Government

Museum of Australian Democracy - Lift Modernisation Project

A key consideration in this unique project was the strong focus on the Heritage and Conservation aspects of the works. Old Parliament House is a natio...

read more

Pharmaceutical and Controlled Environments

CSL's Southern Aurora

Two years after the completion of the AlbuRx project, A.G. Coombs has returned to CSL Behring’s Broadmeadows site to complete the mechanical service...

read more
See all case studies