Bioscience Research Centre, BUNDOORA, MELBOURNE

Department of Primary Industries – LaTrobe University – $288 Million

Primary Industries research centres are essential to Australia’s competitive advantage, so Paul is proud to have worked on the Bioscience Research Centre (AgriBio) at LaTrobe University.

AgriBio was designed as a world-class facility capable of leading the way internationally in agricultural biosciences research and development. AgriBio’s area of focus is to address food security, requiring highly-specialised facilities accommodating up to 400 staff including scientists, students and business and support staff from the Department of Primary Industries and LaTrobe.

Responsibilities & Achievement

As an employee of Grocon, Paul was engaged as ESD and Completion Manager, and his tenure on this project went from the design development stage through to technical completion, and commercial acceptance. He was also engaged for the first 12 months of the operating term post completion to ensure successful ongoing functionality of the facility.

Paul’s role

  • Developed the Completion Framework for the Project that included early engagement and formalisation of Completion Testing Methodologies to ensure compliance with requirements under the Project Agreement and Construction Contract to satisfy the State of Victoria and their Independent Consultant Reviewers.
  • Compiled and maintained the Technical Completion Manual and Completion Plan to deliver consecutive Revisions of the Completion Report 13 months, 10 months and 1 month prior to Technical Completion.
  • Chaired and directed weekly Completion Management meetings and to co-ordinate actions required arising from the minutes of meeting.
  • Liaised with key sub-contractors and attend regular Completion Workshops to identify critical issues. Maintain and co-ordinate with key sub-contractors the actions required to satisfy the requirements under Schedule 11, Technical Completion testing.
  • Obtained the necessary General Approvals and Certificates required for Utilities and other Authorities namely DHS, AQIS, OGTR, EPA.
  • Monitored and liaised with Consultants to compile all of the required Certificates of Final Completion as a mandatory requirement prior to IR Witness Acceptance Testing.
  • Configured the (WebFM) Operation and Maintenance Manual database system. Co-ordinated and arranged for key sub-contractors to adopt WebFM as the tool for uploading of Technical Completion deliverables from as-built drawings to warranties and maintenance schedules.
  • Further developed document control systems and processes to capture TC test specific deliverables in accordance with adopted Completion Management strategy and Completion framework.
  • Compiled internal pre-commissioning test data, acceptance validation test data and QA verification data for plant and equipment including specialist Group 1/1S scientific equipment

The Challenge

One of the challenges on this project was the management of the decommissioning, relocation and reconnection of existing Group 2 Equipment while maintaining full functionality of existing DPI operations.

Through Paul’s early involvement during the design stage, he was able to develop specifically tailored programs and establish communication links with each DPI facility to ensure there was no interruption to the existing facility.

He was also responsible for the configuration of the WebFM Operation and Maintenance Manual database system. Paul was then able to further streamline critical processes by arranging for key subcontractors to adopt WebFM as a tool for uploading project-specific data, and by developing relevant document control systems.

Another challenge we met was to co-ordinate the requirements for the transition from existing facilities to the new BRC facility. This entailed rolling out of specific training modules, site familiarisation, and transitioning logistics to ensure that end users had the skills to successfully fun the facility and that all the requirements were met.

Transition and Training

  • Co-ordinated the JV’s(DPI and LTU) requirements for Training, Site Familiarisation and Transitioning logistics from existing Facilities into the new BRC Facility. It is anticipated this will require the rolling out of specific training modules to a target audience of 480 end users.
  • Liaised with the JV’s representative to clearly define the requirements for Training and Site Familiarisation prior to TC and during the Commissioning period in the lead up to CA.
  • Developed a sequencing programme and User Training guides for all Scientific Group 1 and 1S Equipment.
  • Developed programmes and established communication links with each DPI facility to co-ordinate the decommissioning, relocating and reconnection of existing Group 2 Equipment so as to not impair the functions of existing DPI operations.
  • Logged and tracked Site Familiarisation carried out during the construction and commissioning phases for Project Associates, End Users and Accreditation Authorities namely DAFF and OGTR.
  • Developed and implement a Training and Transition Plan to include scheduling of resources, roles and responsibilities and 44 number Training Modules.

Another vital role Paul played in this project was the submission and final equipment selection, procurement, installation and commission of scientific equipment:

  • Developed and implemented standardised Equipment submission templates for each Group 1 Equipment item to ensure the Contract requirements and The State’s requirements for Additional Particulars are met.
  • Liaised with consultants and specialist equipment suppliers to ensure all data required and to be submitted for Review.
  • Defined processes for Review by all relevant parties to comply with Accreditation requirements, Review procedures and as per Grocon-Honeywell FM Interface Agreement.
  • Confirmed technical specifications required to meet Fit for Purpose.

The Outcome

Paul continued to monitor the facility for the first 12 months of its operating term to ensure all systems were meeting their specific requirements. Exactly 12 months after practical completion, AgriBio received a ‘5 Star’ As-Built Green Star Rating.

S-Curve Linear are proud of Paul’s vital role in the successful creation of AgriBio, the first research facility of its kind in Australia. This facility now contributes essential research and information on increased productivity, sustainability, reducing environmental impacts and fighting disease.

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