Each month, we put the spotlight on the progress of various projects in and around the state of Victoria. This time, we look at the Education sector and the latest updates from three projects: the Footscray Learning Precinct, Melbourne Connect and the Saint Teresa of Kolkata Building.

Golden Plains Wind Farm

Project: Wind farm (181 turbines)

Status: Documentation

Developer: Westwind Energy Pty Ltd, General Electric Renewable Energy

Environmental Impact Assessment: Nature Advisory, Jacobs Group Pty Ltd

Construction Start Date: 2nd quarter 2020

Construction End Date: 2021

Value: $1.6 billion

Set to power over 500,000 homes, this project on the Golden Plains Shire will provide 181 wind turbines with all associated works, including landscaping, underground cables and more. With so many factors coming into this, there will be a huge variety of opportunities to get involved in.

Tenders will be called for engineering, procurement and construction contractors once the project leaves the documentation stage – so this is certainly one to watch.

Cohuna Solar Farm

Project: Solar farm (87,000 solar panels)

Status: Construction

Developer: Enel Green Power, Leeson Group

EPC Contractor: Tempo Australia Ltd

Construction Start Date: April 2019

Construction End Date: 2nd quarter 2020

Value: $120 million

Construction has commenced on this exciting solar project – one of six to receive recognition in Victoria’s first renewable energy auction. The solar farm is being supported by a 15-year agreement with the state government and promises to boost the local community with notable benefits to the retail, accommodation and construction sectors.

By generating up to 77 GWh of electricity annually, the Cohuna Solar Farm will avoid approximately 71,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every single year, making this project both sustainable and efficient.

Cherry Tree Wind Farm

Project: Wind farm (16 turbines)

Status: Construction commenced

Developer: Infigen Energy Limited, Ausnet Services

Construction Start Date: February 2019

Construction End Date: May 2020

Value: $100 million

Partway through construction, the Cherry Tree wind farm project is located near Seymour, Victoria, and will comprise 16 wind turbines, a substation, access tracks and an electrical collection system, Once completed, it will generate enough energy to power around 37,000 homes, with a 57.6 MW capacity.

With construction expected to finish in the first half of 2020, the project has created around 80 jobs across numerous specialisations.

Summary

We work closely with a variety of companies on these projects, so if there is a particular project you’re interested in or if you would like to work with any of the companies listed, get in touch with one of the below Consultants:

Architecture: Sarah Ingram

Building: Charles Ferraro, Corey Jacobs and Ryan Wakelin

Civil Construction: Andrew Chalkley and Charlie Kat

Civil Engineering (Design): Bernie Guthrie and Charlie Kat

Structural & Building Services Engineering (Design): Charlie Kat

Property & Project Management: Brett Isard