Department for Education, Morialta Secondary College

Geographical constraints 

The project site had significant sloping from east to west, varying by 19 metres from boundary to boundary, requiring the ground floor levels of the buildings to be split by significant insitu retaining walls, as buildings were stepped down the site to follow the falls. 

This design increased the complexity of the construction process and required Sarah’s team to develop bespoke construction methodologies, resequencing trades, and carefully plan for the safe movement of people and plant through the buildings.   

Leveraging previous project experience

Key personnel for Morialta were strategically selected based on their excellent performance delivering Whyalla Secondary College for the Department.  

With the design, composition, and functionality of the two schools closely mirroring each other, this team were able to quickly and effectively integrate the lessons learned from Whyalla to minimise design and constructability challenges for the new project.  

This approach allowed the team to concentrate on solving the constraints of the physical site, and later, managing inclement weather impacts.  

Managing existing services 

In the tender phase, a decision was made to remove all existing services on site and replace with new infrastructure, which had significant benefits for reliability, cost, and program.  

Construction in an operational environment

Stage 2 of the works, including high-risk heavy structure installation was delivered after the first intake of students in 2023, and Sarah’s team made the safety of the college community its top priority.  

The team undertook extensive planning exercises alongside the college personnel and the Department to determine safe access and egress routes around the site, and schedule works to minimise disruption to normal college operations.  

Managing weather and geotechnical constraints

The project encountered more than 1,450mm of rain over the 20-month duration; an approximate 40% increase on Adelaide’s average annual rainfall.  

This unprecedented weather combined with the aggressive slope of the site and the clay soils presented the team with a range of challenges.  

Measures to mitigate delays to inground works included installing a network of concrete bunds to divert the overland flow of stormwater around the building pads, and lean mixing trench bases and pads to maintain the integrity of the foundation excavations. 

The conditions also impacted the safe movement of people and plant around the site, and after trialling several materials, the team installed a series of concrete paths for pedestrians and ballasted roads for vehicles.  

This proactive, timely and continual culture of communication was integral to Stage 2 works being delivered as scheduled.  

Strategic selection of subcontractors and suppliers

When planning for project success, Sarah’s team selected subcontractors with experience working collaboratively with contractors and consultants on complex buildings.  

On example includes a local specialist concrete subcontractor who invested significant time in understanding the site constraints and the project requirements, developing innovative methodologies, and delivering a result way above industry standard.  

Sarah’s excellent relationships with suppliers and experience with alternative and innovative materials resulted in $12M of savings identified during value management workshops.  

Leveraging established relationships within the market

The weather delays required Sarah’s team to develop ways to accelerate the project program, including opening additional work fronts, and resequencing trades to deliver works concurrently.  

Despite the labour market already under stress from the COVID pandemic, Sarah’s team leveraged solid relationships within the local market, increasing the workforce to meet the program requirements.  

Support from our trade partners extending through the Christmas break of 2022, ahead of students occupying their new spaces only four weeks into the school year.