Union Court Redevelopment (ANU SA7)

The ANU Union Court Redevelopment was a critical project located at the heart of the Australian National University (ANU) campus in Canberra. The project site presented unique challenges due to its location within a live university environment and its proximity to Sullivan’s Creek, a sensitive watercourse. DECC was engaged by Lendlease to manage the demolition of several major structures and the subsequent civil works, which included site retention, bulk excavation, foundation piling, slab preparation, and stormwater infrastructure installation.

Demolition of Major Structures: DECC demolished four significant buildings, including the Manning Clarke Building, and a minor bridge over Sullivan’s Creek. This process also involved the separation of linking structures from operational buildings. The demolition required the use of hydraulic pulverisers and mechanical breakers, along with a cut-and-lift method using a 400-tonne mobile crane for the Union Health Bridge.

Hazardous Materials Removal: The project involved the removal of hazardous materials from the existing structures and the ground. This included the handling of asbestos and other contaminants, with all materials removed in accordance with strict environmental and safety protocols.

Bulk Excavation and Site Retention: DECC undertook the bulk excavation of approximately 52,000m³ of material. This phase of the project included the installation of site retention systems, such as cantilevered piles, capping beams, and shotcrete, to stabilise the site and prepare it for further construction.

Foundation Piling and Slab Preparation: The foundation work involved the construction of Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles, supported by a 12,000m² piling platform. DECC also carried out detailed excavation and slab preparation for over 12,000m² of basement construction and tenancy areas.

Stormwater Infrastructure Installation: DECC installed nearly 1 km of stormwater piping, ranging from 225mm to 900mm in diameter, to manage the campus’s water drainage system. This included the temporary diversion of the existing stormwater system and the installation of erosion and sediment control measures to protect Sullivan’s Creek.

Road and Pavement Construction: The project included the construction of over 600m of road pavements, utilising flexible asphalt and rigid pavement techniques, as well as base course preparation for interlocking paved roads. Additionally, DECC constructed over 250m² of retaining walls to facilitate the new level design for access roads.