RAAF Darwin Base, Banksian House, Australia
Aurecon brings new life to the historic Banksian House at RAAF Darwin for Australian Department of Defence’s (ADF) Estate Works Program.
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An extensive upgrade has been completed to the air movements terminal building at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Woomera in South Australia to better support RAAF operations. The project saw almost every element of the terminal’s services and facilities upgraded.
Since its original construction in the 1950s post World War II, the building has made ongoing contributions to Defence operations. The terminal was still in use on an infrequent basis; however, upgrades were required as it was being used more frequently by Department of Defence personnel at the base.
The upgraded terminal now caters to personnel and visitors arriving and departing by air. It has been modernised to provide a waiting and reception area for aircraft movements and for emergency airlifts.
Aurecon project managed the terminal upgrade works as part of its broader Estate Works Program project delivery services contract for Defence.
Woomera is one of Australia’s main bases for testing and training of air weapons, and the refurbished building allows for an increasing number of arrivals of Department of Defence personnel.
The project followed the heritage impact assessment, also completed by Aurecon, which identified how the terminal could be upgraded in line with its historical legacy.
Aurecon retained the building’s exterior colours, window frames and original layout in line with the heritage assessment requirements. To capture a highly accurate model of the existing building for use in design, a 3D point cloud scan was undertaken. The scanning captured all points throughout the building with full detail of existing light fitting locations, electrical outlets, ceiling grids, air conditioner ducting, architraves and skirtings. The benefit of this was to determine which services to retain in place during the construction works, and provide a visual layout of the terminal for designers not located on site.
Significant steps were taken to manage climate control internally as the terminal is surrounded by an arid, windy and dusty environment. New insulation in the walls, as well as the construction of an airlock and a ventilation and ducted evaporative cooling air conditioning system, create a comfortable environment for personnel and passengers who are waiting or transferring through the base. In addition to replacement interior fixtures and fittings, new window glazing addresses aircraft noise abatement.
Interior works included a partition to segregate the waiting area from the bathrooms, installation of a new kitchenette and joinery, a new open office space, and full bathroom upgrades. Exterior works involved a new septic sewage system and irrigation system.
Other new fittings included structural timbers, flooring, lighting, electrical, data and communications, plumbing, sprinklers, security locks and interconnected system speakers.
Aurecon worked closely with the construction contractor and complied with all Defence requirements to ensure the works respected the historical legacy of the terminal, while providing up-to-date and welcoming facilities for base personnel and visitors.
The upgraded terminal will support the arrival and departure of increasing numbers of RAAF personnel, visitors and dignitaries in a modern, fully functioning building.
The works on the heritage recognised terminal building retain its importance to RAAF Woomera’s history and ongoing operations, continuing to serve as the front entrance to the base.
Aurecon brings new life to the historic Banksian House at RAAF Darwin for Australian Department of Defence’s (ADF) Estate Works Program.
Aurecon is contracted to provide project management services for the construction, maintenance, and consultancy projects of the Australian Department of Defence’s (ADF) Estate Works Program.
Aurecon’s services paved the way for the refurbishment of historical Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Defence infrastructure while creating employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
