BE - Building Efficiency 2022-2023 by A.G. Coombs

2022-2023
innovation
THE FUTURE
Atlassian Building
Sydney
Cultural icon
Powerhouse
Parramatta
ELECTRIFICATION
101 Collins St
Melbourne

WELCOME
Chairman’s
Message
I am very pleased to commend this year’s edition
of Building Efficiency to you. This publication shares
the remarkable work of our Group of Companies,
and our teams.
Moving from the COVID-19 pandemic
period A.G. Coombs continues to
grow and lead the building services
industry, developing our people,
embracing innovation and new
technologies, and delivering the
quality standards and outcomes
that have driven our Group’s
success over the past 77-years.
We bring these buildings to life!
We have long been a value’s-driven
organisation, and strongly maintain
our commitment to quality, efficiency,
safety, sustainability, bringing out the
best in our people, and our industry.
We strongly promote diversity
and reconciliation.
Our contribution to the built
environment is greater than the
sum of its parts. A.G. Coombs is
committed to enhancing the spaces
that provide value to our clients and
our communities – hospitals, learning
institutions, commercial buildings,
defence facilities, data centres,
museums, sporting facilities and
large-scale community and cultural
facilities. We bring to these buildings
advanced, reliable and valued
building services solutions, providing
optimum whole of life outcomes.
The A.G. Coombs Group Board fully
supports this commitment to values
with a clear-sighted strategic vision
for the future, a firm focus on sound
governance, prosperity and success
over the long term.
We are very proud of what we have
achieved in the last 12 months and
excited by our plans for the future.
Thank you for your support and
we look forward to a positive
future together.
Clive Weeks AO
Chairman
A.G. Coombs Group
2 Building Efficiency

Managing Director's
Message
We are in times of
significant change.
Technology is rapidly
enabling things not
previously possible,
and a changing climate is
demanding a sustainable
future. These are key drivers
for us to improve and
enhance the great work we
do in the built environment.
This year’s edition of Building
Efficiency in a new format highlights
the tremendous breadth of advanced
building services solutions delivered
by the A.G. Coombs Group.
It provides a clear testament to our
teamwork and talented people who
are our greatest strength and clear
point of difference.
Through the pandemic A.G. Coombs
Group companies worked closely
with our clients, service providers
and suppliers to deliver our services
safely and effectively. This year we
have seen the progress of many largescale
projects of note. These include
major rail infrastructure – the Victoria
Cross and Martin Place underground
stations in Sydney and the Town Hall
underground station in Melbourne.
The new Victorian Heart Hospital
in Clayton, Queens Wharf precinct
redevelopment in Brisbane, and the
new Sydney Football Stadium.
Along with data centre
developments, defence facility
upgrades, large-scale pharmaceutical
manufacturing facilities and
many smaller scale but no less
important projects. These facilities
feature the latest in building
services technologies and will serve
their owners, occupants and the
community well into the future.
Our specialist building services
maintenance and technical facility
management teams support important
infrastructure throughout Australia.
Ensuring acute-care hospitals,
data centres, banking facilities,
Government building portfolios,
and the national broadcaster together
with major commercial building
portfolios, iconic cultural institutions,
multiple universities and retail
shopping centre portfolios operate
safely, efficiently and sustainably.
It is clear that our whole-of-life
approach to building services sets
us apart. Our expert Advisory team
combining technical expertise
and experience with leading edge
technology has provided highly
valued advice and services for better
project delivery, and step change
improvements in facility and asset
performance, safety and sustainability.
We are also playing a leading role in
the digital transformation of building
services design, off-site manufacture
and installation and construction.
Our significant contribution to the
BIM MEPAUS initiative, the Building
4.0 Cooperative Research Centre
and our innovative Virtual Buildings
Information System® puts us at the
forefront of a digitally enabled,
more efficient and safer industry.
Our operations must be sustainable
and our corporate Net Zero 2030
commitment is a significant part of
that. Assisting our clients reduce
environmental impact and improve
the resilience of their businesses
in a changing climate is also a
prime focus.
We are immensely proud of our
commitment to strength and high
performance through Diversity and
Inclusion together with supportive
Reconciliation - promoting awareness,
understanding and positive change in
our industry as well as the community.
In rapidly changing times we look to
our strong values and organisational
culture to provide confidence and
guidance. These are the cornerstones
of our success.
We are excited by the opportunities
that lay ahead of us as we continue
to grow our people and enhance our
capabilities. The A.G. Coombs Group,
with its highly valued relationships,
leading expertise and strong
reputation for innovative and trusted
delivery, looks forward to producing
outcomes of the highest standard
for our valued clients.
Russell Telford
Managing Director
A.G. Coombs Group
2022-2023
3

06
12 16
Next Station
Sydney’s multi-billion dollar
transport infrastructure project.
High Security
Modular construction enables major
Queensland infrastructure project.
Premium Protection
Proactive fire and life safety systems
maintenance protects safety premium
Melbourne precinct.
what’s
02. Welcome
Chairman's Address and
Managing Director's Message
06. Next Station
Sydney Metro Victoria Cross
08. Building on Health
Frankston Hospital
Redevelopment
10. Holding Court
Court Services Victoria
12. High Security
Southern Queensland
Correctional Precinct
16. Premium Protection
Fire Services maintenance
18. Deploy the Decoy
Nulka Manufacturing Facility
20. Fresh Thinking
The Annex, 12 Creek Street
22. Prefab-ulous
235 Pyrmont Street
4 Building Efficiency

26 34 40
Cultural Icon
The new cultural icon for
Sydneys west.
Out of Gas?
Net zero emissions targets
driving building electrification.
The Future
The ambitious new sustainable
headquarters for global software
company Atlassian.
inside:
24. Connection
National Reconciliation Week
26. Cultural Icon
Powerhouse Parramatta
34. Out of Gas?
De-gasification at 101 Collins St
38. Right on Q
The Q Building NSW
40. The Future
Atlassian Building Sydney
44. In the News
2022-2023
5

TRANSPORT
Next Station
After playing a key role in the construction of the
Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station
development, A.G. Coombs is now working to
deliver another part of the city’s multi-billion
dollar transport infrastructure project.
One of five new stations being
built as part of the Sydney Metro
infrastructure project, the new Victoria
Cross station will connect the existing
Metro North West Line running from
Chatswood to the new Sydney Metro
City & Southwest Line.
Located 31 metres beneath Miller
Street in the heart of the North
Sydney CBD, the station’s concourse
and platforms will be accessible to
commuters via a number of streetlevel
pedestrian plaza entry points.
Lendlease is delivering the
new Victoria Cross integrated
station development for the
NSW Government, including the
underground metro station,
over-station development (OSD)
and enhancements to pedestrian
connections, retail and
public spaces.
At the 2022 Lendlease Australian Supplier Awards
A.G. Coombs was recognised with the Safety
Award for the innovative solution developed for
the design, manufacture, supply and installation
of over track exhaust modules.
Drawing on the Group’s experience
on the soon-to-be-completed Sydney
Metro Martin Place, A.G. Coombs
joined the Lendlease Consortium’s
bid team for the Victoria Cross project
in 2018.
Subsequently engaged under a
construct-only contract, A.G. Coombs
has been on site since early-2021
delivering the mechanical services
solutions to the underground
station, as well as completing
OSD-enabling works.
“Our involvement on the Metro
Martin Place project has given our
team a first-hand understanding of
the challenges and requirements
associated with the construction of
Sydney Metro underground stations,”
says Shane Durkin, Engineering
Services Manager for
A.G. Coombs Projects.
6 Building Efficiency

Metro facts
By 2030, Sydney will boast a
network of four metro lines,
46 stations and 113km of new
metro rail. This will allow for a
metro train every two minutes
in each direction under the
city, with a target capacity of
40,000 commuters per hour.
Shane says this includes the
company’s construction experience
of the over track exhaust (OTE) system
– part of the station’s critical safety
infrastructure – and the robust method
of installation required.
A significant amount of prefabrication
is being used for the construction
of the OTE system, as well as the
project’s risers.
“Through this experience, our team
has been able to assist Lendlease on
their journey at Metro Victoria Cross.”
A.G. Coombs also identified a number
of opportunities as part of its value
management of the mechanical
services design.
These initiatives included the
rationalisation of the central chilled
water plant, and the rearrangement
of the two 1500kW chillers and
corresponding cooling towers for
improved operational efficiency, as
well as the dual chilled water loops
to achieve system redundancy.
The design and pipe riser layout of
the cavern smoke exhaust system
was also simplified under a full
constructability review.
In its role as lead services coordinator
on the Metro Victoria Cross project,
A.G. Coombs is utilising a number
of technologies including building
information modelling (BIM) and
the Revizto+ cloud-based
coordination platform.
“BIM has been particularly useful on
this project,” says Shane. “It was used
extensively during our constructability
reviews to help identify design and
layout issues early in the project.”
The use of a cloud-based project
management system has also been
an invaluable tool given the project’s
intensive quality assurance (QA)
documentation requirements.
Construction of the mechanical
services has been ongoing since
August 2021. A.G. Coombs expects
that a workforce in the order of 80
personnel will have contributed to the
Victoria Cross project by completion –
expected in 2023.
“A.G. Coombs is a key member of
our Metro Victoria Cross project
team, and is bringing its expertise in
constructability and coordination of
services for the overall benefit of the
project,” says Michael Niedzwiecki
at Lendlease.
2022-2023
7

8 BE Magazine
HEALTH
CARE
‘Artist Impression’ Image: Supplied by the Victorian
Health Building Authority
Leveraging the Group’s
decades of experience
on major hospital
projects, A.G. Coombs
is delivering the
$1.1 billion redevelopment
and expansion of the
Frankston Hospital with
builder Lendlease.
8 Building Efficiency

Advisory in support
Through the course of the
Exemplar Health consortium’s
bid for the Frankston Hospital
redevelopment, A.G. Coombs
Advisory was engaged to
support both Lendlease and
Honeywell in a consulting role.
‘Artist Impression’
The $1.1 billion redevelopment of Frankston Hospital
will deliver a new 12-storey clinical services tower and
main entrance, 130 more beds, new spaces for mental
health and oncology services and 15 new
operating theatres.
Building on Health
The Frankston Hospital
redevelopment will be conducted
under a public-private partnership
(PPP) with the Exemplar Health
consortium responsible for designing,
constructing, financing and
maintaining the hospital for 25 years.
Following early involvement with
Lendlease in 2021, A.G. Coombs was
awarded the mechanical services
design and construct (D&C) contract
in early-2022.
It continues a relationship that has
successfully delivered many major
projects around the country, including
the new Royal Children’s Hospital
in Melbourne and the new
Bendigo Hospital.
“PPPs can be challenging without
the right people in place,” says Mark
Mitchell, Executive General Manager
for A.G. Coombs Projects.
“Our project teams have remained
consistent across a number of
successful healthcare projects.
As Lendlease’s partner of choice,
we are leveraging this shared
experience, the lessons learned and
our strong track record to benefit the
Frankston Hospital redevelopment.”
Working with a preliminary
mechanical services design by
consultant Waterman, and to a
prescriptive brief from the State
Government of Victoria, A.G. Coombs
is progressing the detailed design
to documentation before work is
expected to commence on site
in 2023.
Central to the design will be an allelectric,
high efficiency mechanical
services plant in the new hospital.
As well as navigating current supply
chain and procurement challenges
that contribute to pricing complexity,
A.G. Coombs is required to meet
the social and local procurement
obligations set out by the project
framework.
A.G. Coombs will also take the
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
and services coordination lead.
The existing facility will remain fully
operational for the duration of the
project, requiring careful planning
and coordination on the ground
with hospital staff.
Close engagement with other project
partners, including facility manager
Honeywell, will contribute to an
effective transition to operate through
commissioning.
“The Frankston Hospital
redevelopment will transform
the delivery of healthcare to the
communities of Frankston and the
Mornington Peninsula,” says David
O'Shaughnessy, Project Director
at Lendlease.
“A.G. Coombs is making a valuable
contribution to the project, bringing
the high level of expertise, surety of
outcome and management of risk
that we have come to expect from
our years of working together.”
2022-2023
9

Holding
Court
A leading provider
of technical facilities
management services,
Integrated Technical
Management (ITM) is well
accustomed to providing
innovative engineering
solutions and life cycle
services to critical facilities
like those operated by
Court Services Victoria.
With direct access to the A.G. Coombs
Group’s 70-plus years of in-house
technical expertise and specialist
resources, ITM has been delivering
solutions focused on meeting the
needs of clients and their facilities
for well over a decade.
“ITM is one of the seven businesses
of the A.G. Coombs Group, and
specialises in the areas of Technical
Facilities Management, Technical
Project Management and Strategic
Advice,” says Paul Gilmore,
Executive Manager Group Business
Development at A.G. Coombs Group.
Adopting a whole-of-life
approach to asset management
and maintenance underpins ITM’s
preference for holistic, asset
maintenance. And by deploying
technically experienced on-site
personnel – and the latest technology
– ITM is able to map and maintain
customer assets at optimal levels,
thereby delivering long-term value
to their facilities.
“The business prides itself on our
highly experienced personnel, and
their ability to integrate seamlessly
into client operational structures in
the planning and delivery of bespoke
solutions based on the portfolio,
facility requirements and objectives.”
In a context of increasing economic
and environmental performance
pressures, coupled with risk mitigation
and improved asset performance,
many organisations are seeking an
approach that goes beyond
day-to-day task-based maintenance.
Court Services Victoria
manages a diverse asset
base of 53 facilities that
range from major purposebuilt
court buildings
concentrated in the CBD
and metropolitan Melbourne,
to single-room court facilities
dispersed throughout
regional Victoria.
The Supreme Court of Victoria building is part of
the Court Services Victoria portfolio. The National
Heritage listed building was constructed between
1874 and 1884.
10 Building Efficiency

Court Services Victoria
Court Services Victoria (CSV) is a
body corporate established by the
Court Services Victoria Act 2014 to
provide the administrative services
and facilities necessary for Victoria’s
courts and tribunals to operate
independently of the direction of the
executive branch of government.
This includes the five Victorian courts
and VCAT. CSV facilities are located
across the entire state – from those in
metropolitan Melbourne to the Mildura
Law Courts in Victoria’s far north-west.
In late-2020, a public tender was
released by CSV for the provision
of facility maintenance and
associated works across its
state-wide facilities portfolio.
As a specialist in providing “hard”
facilities management services to
complex or operationally challenging
facilities, including Government
property portfolios, ITM responded
with a detailed tender proposal.
This included an independentlyreviewed
Local Industry Development
Plan (LIDP) detailing ITM’s social
procurement framework and
commitment to the engagement
of local subcontractors, suppliers,
apprentices and local Indigenous
and Koori community members.
Additionally, procurement details for
each service element were provided
to demonstrate ITM’s commitment
to locally sourced materials.
Following an extensive tender
evaluation and negotiation process,
ITM was awarded the contract in
October 2021.
It requires ITM to deliver a tailored
maintenance model across CSV
properties in the areas of mechanical
services, fire services and essential
safety maintenance (ESM) for
electrical services. ITM is also
responsible for the rectification of
faults, minor and major remedial
works and minor capital works.
To fulfil these requirements, ITM is
leveraging the A.G. Coombs Group’s
well-established supply chain of local
partners across the state.
Well versed
A total of 53 CSV properties of varying
age and typology are maintained
under the Facility Maintenance
and Associated Works contract –
from heritage-listed buildings with
aging equipment requiring careful
maintenance to brand new facilities.
“ITM has extensive experience in the
technical management of a diverse
range of facilities” says Paul.
“A number of contracts ITM holds
include heritage-listed properties,
so we are well aware of our
obligations and the sensitivities
associated with maintaining
services within such buildings.”
ITM personnel are also cognisant of
the limited windows of opportunity
during which maintenance and repair
works can be undertaken without
disrupting court processes and
procedures.
To this end, a dedicated client portal
has been established to provide CSV
personnel with full access to the
status of service and maintenance.
An intuitive, dynamic life cycle
modelling and forecasting tool has
also been offered by ITM that allows
CSV to run “what if” scenarios on all
assets managed under the contract.
“ITM’s approach to maintenance
planning is asset-centric, and based
on open collaboration with the client,”
says Paul.
“We schedule maintenance at an asset
level, and capture maintenance and
repair costs at this same level so that
we, along with CSV, can clearly see
the costs associated with maintaining
and repairing an asset.”
“This provides ITM the ability to
model and forecast the life cycle of
that asset and plan proactive repairs,
or capital replacement, with the
client accordingly.”
2022-2023
11

High
Security
Such is the scale of a new high security correctional
facility currently under construction in Queensland that
A.G. Coombs expects to have a peak workforce of 100
on the project – many of them local.
Located near Gatton, about 100km
south-west of Brisbane, the Southern
Queensland Correctional Precinct
first opened in 2012 with a 300-
bed correctional facility that has
accommodated female prisoners
since 2018.
External site infrastructure was
designed and constructed at the
time to support a second facility.
The new 1500 bed, men’s high
security Southern Queensland
Correctional Precinct Stage Two
project (SQCP-S2), delivered by
Managing Contractor John Holland
for the Queensland Government, will
boost community safety and regional
employment opportunities, and will
be a modern, purpose-built facility
with a focus on rehabilitation to
reduce reoffending.
Major construction works for the
$861 million correctional facility are
expected to be completed by the end
of 2023 and commissioned in the first
half of 2024, weather permitting.
It is currently the second largest
infrastructure project in Queensland
– surpassed only by Brisbane’s Cross
River Rail.
In the loop
After responding to an open tender
Expression of Interest (EOI), and
subsequently being short-listed,
A.G. Coombs was awarded the
mechanical services contract for the
project by John Holland in early-2022.
This is the third recent major project
on which A.G. Coombs will work
with John Holland – the others being
the Victorian Heart Hospital and the
Sydney Football Stadium.
Drawing on the Group’s
extensive experience on those
major infrastructure projects,
it immediately began work on
documenting the mature design
by consulting engineer WSP.
This work identified several
opportunities to add value
management to a design that
incorporates a large essential energy
plant and a combined services loop –
including chilled water – that runs
for over 1km around the precinct.
As lead services coordinator,
A.G. Coombs is leading the building
information modelling (BIM) design
on the project and will coordinate
services through the use of integrated
BIM collaboration platform, Revizto.
“This continues our strategy
in Queensland to incorporate
prefabricated plant and equipment
from our integrated prefabrication
factory,” says Danny McGregor,
A.G. Coombs Queensland Manager.
The finished, prefabricated
components will be transported
by road to Gatton.
This approach to construction
addresses several challenges
including the site’s regional location,
access to materials, and the strict
security overlay placed on all building
services installed in the facility.
Additionally, prefabrication will
allow for parallel construction to
take place, thereby reducing the
hours of onsite construction required
and associated health and safety
risks for the benefit of the overall
construction programme.
Local focus
Construction of the mechanical
services commenced on site in
mid-2022.
At the peak of construction in
early-2023, Danny McGregor expects
a workforce of over 100 A.G. Coombs
personnel will have contributed to the
project, including trades and project
and site management teams.
Drawing on the Group’s established
network of subcontractors in the
region, A.G. Coombs is employing
many of its construction team from
Gatton, Ipswich and surrounds,
fulfilling the company’s
commitment to employ locally.
12 Building Efficiency

MODULARPump modules include
control valves and pre-wired
Variable Speed Drives.
Large diameter headers and
pipe, insulated, clad and
pressure tested in factory.
3
Modular primary pump modules
include a primary condenser and a
primary chilled water pump and weigh
over 10 tonnes each in operation.
2
1
7
Over 13km of chilled water pipework
in the Gatton project including an
underground ring main.
2022-2023
13

Secondary chilled
water pump modules.
4
5
6
Pumps mounted on seismic springs
and securely fastened for transport
from prefabrication factory to site.
Four high efficiency centrifugal
water-cooled chillers, using HFO-1233zd
refrigerant to provide 1700kW of
cooling each.
2022 2023
14

Premium
Protection
Walker Fire Protection has recently commenced
delivery of fire service maintenance at one of Australia’s
largest and most prestigious mixed-use developments.
Developed by Walker Corporation –
Australia’s largest private, diversified
property development company –
Collins Square occupies an entire
block at the western end of
Melbourne’s CBD.
Comprising five premium commercial
office towers and the refurbished
Southern Goods Shed with a
combined NLA of 250,000m²,
the precinct is home to a number
of blue-chip tenants as well as
over 40 retailers.
Managed by Walker Corporation’s
facility management team (Collins
Square Management), the five towers
have been awarded a minimum
NABERS Energy 5 star rating
reflecting their energy efficient
design and operation.
In early-2022, Walker Fire Protection
was invited to tender for the precinct’s
fire service maintenance contract.
Working collaboratively with the
on site facility management team,
all Walker Fire Protection technicians
are employed in-house to ensure
a consistent, high level of
service befitting the precinct’s
premium status.
“We have recruited some of the
industry’s best technicians and
contract managers over the past
six months as we strive to be the
number one fire services contractor
in the country,” says Andrew
McGregor, General Manager
for Walker Fire Protection.
Engaged to provide preventative,
corrective and reactive service and
maintenance of the precinct’s fire
services, the scope of works includes
maintenance, inspection and testing
of all smoke detectors, fire sprinklers,
fire doors, hydrants, hose reels and
the precinct’s emergency warning
and mixed communication system.
F
A member of the A.G. Coombs
Walker Fire Protection will also
Group, Walker Fire Protection was take a proactive approach to
subsequently awarded the contract asset management through
with technicians commencing on asset lifecycle analysis.
site mid-year.
16 Building Efficiency

“Along with our investment in people,
Walker Fire has invested heavily in the
latest technology to ensure we remain
market leaders in innovation,”
says Andrew.
This innovation includes measures to
prevent major water damage such as
proactive pipe thickness testing. While
not currently required under Australian
Standards, Walker Fire Protection
offers this testing as part of annual
inspections and finds it particularly
beneficial in older buildings.
sprinkler head replacement to be
completed without risk of water
damage to client premises.
“In the short time Walker Fire
Protection has joined us at Collins
Square, their commitment to in-house
delivery of service and innovation has
been evident,” says Stewart Calder,
Operations Manager for Walker
Corporation.
“We are excited to have them
on board.”
Vacuum technology, which removes
water from the fire sprinkler system,
is also being deployed to allow
IRE SAFETY17
2022-2023

Deploy
the Decoy
Building on the Group’s expertise
in the defence sector, A.G. Coombs
has taken a key role in the delivery
of the new $23.9 million Nulka
assembly and maintenance facility
at the Defence Establishment
Orchard Hills in Western Sydney.
18 Building Efficiency

Image: © COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA,
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
Nulka – “be quick”
Prior to the 1980s, active
off-board decoy systems to
protect warships from a new
generation of missiles were
a test concept championed
by Defence scientists yet
to convince most of the
world’s skeptical military
of their viability.
Initiated in Australia by
the Defence Science and
Technology Organisation
(DSTO), successful trials of
the variable-thrust, solidpropellant
rocket-motor
technology had shown that
such a decoy could hover in
controlled flight.
But it wasn’t until the sinking
of British destroyer HMS
Sheffield by a sea-skimming
anti-ship missile in 1982 during
the Falklands War that the
concept was fully embraced
by military leaders. This led to
a collaborative engineering
partnership being formed
between Australia and the
US to further develop the
technology that would
come to be known as Nulka.
An Australian indigenous word
meaning “be quick”, Nulka has since
become one of Australia’s largest and
most successful defence exports.
Considered the most sophisticated
soft-kill defence system against
anti-ship missiles, thousands of Nulka
decoys have been manufactured and
fitted to more than 150 Australian,
United States and Canadian warships.
The technologies behind the
success of Nulka include advanced
flight vehicle guidance and control
techniques, and sophisticated radio
frequency electronics.
Fully autonomous after launch, the
decoy can fly a pre-programmed
flight path to entice anti-ship missiles
away from the ship, with its unique
all-weather design allowing it to hover
with a high degree of precision no
matter the conditions.
Orchard Hills
Assembly and production of the Nulka
active missile decoy has remained
under the auspice of BAE Systems
Australia since a licence agreement
was signed between the Department
of Defence and AWA Defence
Industries (now BAE Systems Australia)
in 1994.
A recent multi-million dollar contract
with the Australian Government has
continued this arrangement – ensuring
the company continues to produce
the system locally, strengthening
Australia’s sovereign technical
expertise and the skills base that
supports it.
The agreement has also led to the
development of a dedicated Nulka
assembly and maintenance facility at
the Defence Establishment Orchards
Hills (DEOH) in western Sydney.
This facility will replace an aging
existing, facility at Mulwala on the
New South Wales/Victorian border.
Currently under construction by
indigenous construction company
National Aboriginal Construction
Partners (NACP), the new facility
at Orchard Hills will support the
acquisition of an enhanced Nulka
decoy variant for which additional
production and maintenance
capacity is required.
A.G. Coombs has been engaged
by NCAP under a construct-only
contract to deliver a mature
mechanical services design by
engineering consultant, AECOM.
The traditional build includes the
installation and commissioning of an
air-cooled system to serve a number
of spaces within the assembly and
maintenance buildings.
A.G. Coombs is also leading the
building information modelling (BIM)
and coordination process on the
project, with all services installed
and commissioned to strict
Defence standards.
The project is expected to be
completed by the end of 2022.
History repeats
It is serendipitous that A.G. Coombs
would become involved in a project
supporting the continued production
of Nulka given its own Bryon Price,
Strategic Development Director for
the Group, cut his engineering “teeth”
on the emerging technology in the
early-1980s.
Working at the time, as a graduate
engineer under the Defence Science
and Technology Organisation’s
(DSTO) lead scientists and engineers
on Project Winnin – the early design
and experimental work that would be
the precursor to Nulka.
He says, “It’s great to look back
knowing I had some small part to
play in what has become an Australian
success story.”
2022-2023
19

Fresh
thinking
Set among Brisbane’s
heritage-listed fig
trees, The Annex at
12 Creek Street promotes
a connection between
the indoors and out with
a mechanical services
solution delivered to
compliment the building’s
breathable facade.
Constructed by Broad Construction
for Dexus, and designed by architect
BVN, The Annex at 12 Creek Street
is a new 12-level, 7,200m² A-Grade
commercial office tower located
within the city’s highly sought-after
Golden Triangle.
Featuring a services design by
consultant NDY that meets the
Brisbane City Council’s “Buildings that
Breathe” design guide, The Annex has
achieved 5 star Green Star Design
and As-Built ratings, as well as a 5 star
NABERS Energy rating aligning with
Dexus’ sustainability approach.
Following a competitive open tender
process, A.G. Coombs was engaged
by Broad Construction in mid-2018
– during the project’s design phase –
under a design and construct (D&C)
contract as specialist mechanical
services contractor.
Upon its appointment, A.G. Coombs
liaised directly with NDY on the
performance requirements of the
D&C design. These discussions
focused on the protection of the
20 Building Efficiency

Image: BVN
The façade of the building’s first six levels
incorporates outdoor spaces which take in the fig
trees. These spaces are breathable, linking the indoor
area to the outdoor environment.
base building’s ratings, and flexibility
of the interior space to ensure tenants
were afforded suitable options for
their fitout given the relatively small
floor plates.
While an energy efficient, low
temperature VAV mixed mode
system was the cornerstone of
the energy efficient HVAC design,
the A.G. Coombs project team
recognised opportunities to
engineer value into the project.
“One of the alternatives we presented
during the design phase was an
air-cooled chiller solution, which
resolved a number of spatial issues
with the small plantroom footprint,”
says Sean Mewing, Project Manager
for A.G. Coombs in Queensland.
Instead of requiring a double height
plantroom space, another level of
commercial office space was able
to be accommodated – thereby
increasing the building’s NLA by
over 600m².
The final mechanical services plant
serving The Annex comprises four
central, low temperature VAV chilled
water air handling units (AHUs) located
in the rooftop plantroom – one
matched to each external façade,
and a dedicated internal unit.
These are served chilled water by two
512kWr high-efficiency air-cooled
chillers, each with its own dedicated
chilled water pump.
Ground floor retail tenancies are
served by stand-alone, air-cooled
DX packaged systems that allow these
spaces to operate independently of
the base building mechanical
services plant.
“This arrangement allows the retail
areas to operate for extended periods
without the need to operate the
central cooling plant, while simplifying
exclusion of the retail areas from the
NABERS base building energy rating,”
says Sean.
Following practical completion in
March 2020, A.G. Coombs Advisory
led the Green Star commissioning
and tuning of the systems in its role
as Independent Commissioning
Agent (ICA).
Working with the building
management system (BMS) provider,
Advisory was able to smooth out
the chiller staging. By modifying a
number of parameters on the chillers
and the BMS, stable chilled water
temperatures were able to
be delivered.
Displaying the breadth of the
Group’s capability, ongoing
mechanical services maintenance
is now being undertaken at
12 Creek Street’s The Annex
by A.G. Coombs Service.
2022-2023
21

Prefab-ulous
The clever use of prefabricated services modules
as part of a major mechanical services upgrade to a
commercial building in Sydney has the property well
on its way to achieving ‘A’ Grade status.
Originally built in 1906, the former
woolstore at 235 Pyrmont Street
has become a much-sought after
commercial address.
Featuring an internal design that melds
the building’s heritage features with
modern office amenities, the eightstorey
building has been maintained
by A.G. Coombs for a number of years.
With the existing base building
open-circuit condenser water
cooling plant approaching end-of-life,
A.G. Coombs was successful in
tendering for a design and construct
(D&C) principal contractor role direct
to owner Kador Group to revitalise
the mechanical services.
The $4.5 million project included
new chiller and boiler plant on the
roof, and progressive works to be
staged over a number of years to
phase out the existing condenser
water system to the new chilled
water system.
“The client’s end goal was to have
the mechanical services meet the
compliance requirements of the
Property Council of Australia’s
‘A’ Grade level,” says Gary
Economos, General Manager
for A.G. Coombs NSW.
Central to A.G. Coombs’ tender
were a number of value engineering
initiatives that would reduce project
cost and improve energy efficiency,
including the offsite prefabrication
of a drop-in rooftop plantroom
constructed under COVID-safe
conditions.
This approach required a number
of modern construction technologies
to be adopted, including building
information modelling (BIM) and 3D
point cloud scan that digitised the
project environment.
The digitised construction model
was also used to determine set outs
for pipe supports, equipment plinths,
new wall locations, new floor waste
and skid plinths. These parameters
were then set out on site using a
Trimble laser to an accuracy of 2mm,
significantly reducing the amount of
time-consuming work required on
site and limiting the noise disruption
to neighbours.
The design of the modular plantroom
was completed concurrently to
the Development Application (DA)
process, with offsite prefabrication
commencing well ahead of the
scheduled site start date.
Within days of the DA being approved,
the three 6m x 3m plantroom modules
were craned into place on the
building’s rooftop.
The application of digital tools
and prefabrication also enabled
A.G. Coombs to complete the
installation of two chillers, three
cooling towers and ancillary plant
– as well as 80% of the pipework –
within just a few days.
“This strategy de-risked the project
in a number of ways, particularly
given the uncertainty of the program
with respect to the timing of Council
approval, and avoided the delays
that would have resulted from the
introduction of COVID-19 restrictions,”
says Gary.
Since the completion of the rooftop
works in mid-2020, A.G. Coombs
has continued working with Kador
Group and project manager TSA
Management to progressively
refurbish the mechanical services
across the building.
“As principal contractor,
A.G. Coombs presented a clever,
turn-key solution that overcame
a number of challenges and will
contribute to Kador Group achieving
our ambitions for the property,”
says Richard Poore, Manager of
Development and Projects at
Kador Group.
22 Building Efficiency

UPGRADE
2022-2023
23

24 Building Efficiency

More than One Story, by Michelle Kerrin
Connection
In support of National
Reconciliation Week
2022, and in a
collaboration with
Indigenous artist
Michelle Kerrin
A.G. Coombs have
featured Michelle’s
artwork in our vehicle
livery as a visual
acknowledgment of our
connection to Australia’s
indigenous culture and
their community.
National Reconciliation Week is a
focused time for all Australians to
learn about our shared histories,
cultures, and achievements.
A.G. Coombs continues to embrace
our indigenous community and
their cultures through our actions
and community engagement and
through our Reconciliation Action
Plan is working towards a
reconciled Australia.
The Artist: Michelle Kerrin
A proud Arrernte and Luritja woman
from the Northern Territory Michelle’s
artwork not only speaks to her
personal experiences but intertwines
with her work and passion working
with young mob in community.
Alongside her role as an artist,
Michelle currently works with the
Michael Long Centre, a space for
Aboriginal youth leadership.
The Artwork: More than
One Story
About connection and growth,
the artwork speaks to the lands and
communities coming together, where
the people come to meet, trade
and grow with one another. This
connection is key to the success of
its peoples, the ground you walk on
and the spirits that have come before
you. These pathways have always
been here, they are rooted in the
ground. It’s now time for the next mob
to travel on them. They are sacred.
The story of A.G Coombs is reflected
in this piece. It tells the stories of all
the spirits and souls that live, breath
and work in these spaces. Everyone
far and wide, but all connected. It’s
for the people, by the people. The
pathways have always been there
but are always growing.
2022-2023
25

flagship
Cultural
Icon
Long recognised for
its collection that spans
history, technology,
science and design,
the Powerhouse is set
to take its place alongside
some of the world’s great
cultural institutions with
the addition of a flagship
museum at Parramatta.
26 Building Efficiency

Image: Moreau Kusunoki and Genton
Located on the city’s riverbank, Powerhouse
Parramatta first major NSW cultural institution
to be established in Western Sydney.
2022-2023
27

One of Australia’s oldest and
most important cultural institutions,
the Powerhouse has occupied the
converted electric tram power
station in Ultimo (from which it
gets its current name) since 1988.
Following a decision by the New
South Wales Government to build
an new flagship to complement the
heritage-listed Ultimo site, work has
commenced on what will be the first
major NSW cultural institution to be
established in Western Sydney.
Located on the city’s riverbank,
Powerhouse Parramatta is the largest
investment in cultural infrastructure
by the NSW Government since the
Sydney Opera House. It is also one
of the most architecturally complex
projects under construction in
the country.
Lendlease is building the Moreau
Kusunoki and Genton designed
museum, which will feature 18,000m²
of exhibition and public space.
Exhibition Space 1 is of monumental
scale and will be the largest columnfree
exhibition space in Australia.
The column-free design is achieved
via three different types of steel lattice
forming an intricate exoskeleton with
transparent glazed façade.
Following a competitive tender
process, A.G. Coombs was awarded
the mechanical services design and
construct (D&C) contract by
Lendlease in late-2021.
As well as collaborating with the
project team and local architect
Genton, A.G. Coombs has lent on
the expertise of the Group to valueengineer
a mechanical services
design that will achieve the strict
indoor environment parameters
required for the seven exhibition
spaces while allowing services
to be exposed.
This work included the removal of
trench heaters on the glazed façade,
the fire engineering of ductwork
associated with the smoke exhaust
and the reconfiguration of air handling
units (AHUs) to reduce the amount of
plant and equipment required.
“Given the building’s range and size
of spaces – from exhibition spaces
requiring close temperature control to
others with a wide allowance suitable
for natural ventilation – the museum
will feature a constant volume, mixed
mode HVAC design,” says Paul Archer,
Engineering Leader NSW/ACT for
A.G. Coombs Projects.
The all-electric thermal energy plant
on the rooftop will feature new 4-pipe
chiller technology that can operate
in air cooled mode or provide heat
recovery to deliver energy efficient
simultaneous heating and cooling.
The museums studio apartments
– part of the Lang Walker Family
Academy that will support high
school students to stay on site and
engage with education programs
– are conditioned via individual
fan coil units (FCU). As part of its
role as services lead on this highly
complex project, A.G. Coombs has
employed cloud-based online building
information modelling (BIM) as well
as Revizto+ for clash detection
and coordination.
These technologies will enable
offsite prefabrication as part of the
mechanical services construction
methodology, including prefabricated
risers, pump skids, fan coil modules
and AHUs. A.G. Coombs will also
pre-join as much metal ductwork
as possible offsite to ensure a
high quality finish.
Construction of Powerhouse
Parramatta commenced in 2022,
with A.G. Coombs expecting to
be on site in early-2023.
“A.G. Coombs has already proven to
be a committed and valuable partner
to Lendlease during the design phase
of Powerhouse Parramatta,” says
Angus Morten Senior Project Manager
for Lendlease.
“We look forward to their team
contributing further to the
construction of this culturally
significant project.”
28 Building Efficiency

The new Moreau Kusunoki and Genton
designed museum will feature 18,000m² of
exhibition and public space. Exhibition Space 1
is of monumental scale and will be the largest
column-free exhibition space in Australia
2022-2023
29

30 Building Efficiency

Maintaining museums
Since 2017, A.G. Coombs
has provided preventative
mechanical services
maintenance at the
Powerhouse and adjacent
Harwood building in Ultimo,
as well as the Sydney
Observatory – also part
of the Museum of
Applied Arts and Sciences.
This experience helped inform the design of the
mechanical services systems that will serve the
seven exhibition spaces at Powerhouse Parramatta,
and ensure the museum’s world-class collection
can be enjoyed for decades to come.
Image: Moreau Kusunoki and Genton
The building will feature all-electric thermal energy plant
on the rooftop including new 4-pipe chiller technology
that can operate in air cooled mode or provide heat
recovery to deliver energy efficient simultaneous
heating and cooling.
2022-2023
31

ELECTRIFICA
Out of Gas?
Natural gas has always had a place in the Australian
commercial building market where gas water heaters
have provided cheap and efficient domestic and
heating hot water to support HVAC systems and
amenities – until now.
34 Building Efficiency

TION
While the rapid rise in the cost of
natural gas is being felt at both a
commercial and consumer level,
there is another reason for the
growing demand of de-gasification
in Australia’s commercial
property market.
That driver is the industry-wide
adoption of net zero emissions targets
– specifically as they relate to Scope
1 (direct) and Scope 2 (operational)
emissions.
Responsible for nearly 25% of
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions,
our existing building stock provides
some of the lowest-cost abatement
opportunities in the economy.
Consequently, building owners and
managers have identified the removal
of Scope 1 emissions associated with
natural gas as the next logical step
in their net zero journey.
This is the case at 101 Collins
Street in Melbourne, where
A.G. Coombs Advisory recently
led an award-winning gas hot
water plant conversion.
The project converted domestic hot
water (DHW) generation from the
original calorifiers connected to the
building’s natural gas-fired heating
hot water (HHW) plant, to a system
featuring highly efficient commercial
heat pumps, smart thermal storage
calorifier tanks and solar PV collectors
to provide off grid DC electrical
energy production as the primary
form of heat generation.
Separating the systems will also
enable the gas-fired HHW plant to
be able to be shut down during
summer periods, further reducing
gas consumption, pumping energy,
plant operating costs and associated
plant maintenance.
Through careful planning,
coordination and staging, the new
system was able to be cut-over on a
weekend so as to avoid any impact on
tenant and occupant amenity.
During the initial period following
commissioning, the new plant was
found to have reduced energy
consumption by 81% compared to
the previous plant, and reduced
associated greenhouse gas emissions.
A second stage of works is now
underway as the management at
101 Collins continues on its
de-gasification journey.
BE spoke with Jamie Park,
Senior Engineer with
A.G. Coombs Advisory,
about the opportunities and
challenges de-gasification
presents to the Australian
commercial building market. >
2022-2023
35

Jamie Park,
Senior Engineer with
A.G. Coombs Advisory.
Interview
BE: How significant is the drive
towards de-gasification?
Jamie Park: When you look at the
existing building stock in Melbourne
for example, the retrofit market is
huge but we are only just scratching
the surface.
It’s the bigger, national portfolio
building owners who are setting
targets of net-zero and carbon
neutral and they’ve been the first
to recognise the opportunities
de-gasification brings.
BE: What opportunities exist
in typical commercial office
buildings for de-gasification?
Jamie Park: For domestic hot water,
it is straight forward with technology
like heat pumps, thermal storage
tanks and solar PV collectors
well understood, but the bigger
opportunity – particularly in southern
states with colder climates – is the
conversion of heating hot water and
comfort heating into some form of
electric-powered heating system.
That, in itself, represents a massive
opportunity and already forwardlooking
building owners are
completing feasibility studies
around it.
BE: What technologies will
allow the de-gasification of
heating hot water to be viable?
Jamie Park: It has to be heat pumps
– but it is the delivery of the water
temperature that remains challenging.
When you are connecting to existing
systems that traditionally operate
on 80˚C water, and heat pumps
commonly operate at 50-55˚C, there’s
a gap that needs to be addressed.
Do you replace all the heating coils
in the building with lower water
temperature designs that will be larger
to achieve the same capacity, or do
you explore expensive heat pump
technology that promises 80˚C water?
36 Building Efficiency

Sustainability is key
“Having recently celebrated
its 30th year, 101 Collins
Street continues to be an
iconic corporate landmark
in Melbourne,” says John
Kiff, Senior Engineering and
Sustainability Manager at 101
Collins Street Management.
“A.G. Coombs Advisory
recognises that sustainability
is one of our key values, and
their valuable contribution to
the building’s domestic hot
water conversion represents
a first step in satisfying our
de-gasification objectives.”
BE: Beyond the water
temperature, what are the
other considerations?
Jamie Park: The obvious one is that
heat pumps need to be outside.
Basement plantrooms usually won’t be
suitable, so it requires investigation as
to whether a rooftop plant is feasible
on the building.
While converting domestic hot water
to heat pumps is usually not an issue
due to the relatively small capacities
required, achieving 3.5MW of heating
hot water capacity for a building such
as 101 Collins Street might result in up
to 10 tonnes of heat pump equipment
– twice the weight of the existing
gas-fired boilers – and they need
to be outside.
BE: How does the electricity
supply also feed into these
considerations?
Jamie Park: When you are
de-gasifying plant, you are effectively
electrifying it. So the question needs
to be asked as to whether there
is enough local electricity supply
to cater for the change, and is the
building’s electrical infrastructure
capable of supporting the conversion.
BE: Has the introduction of
predicted emissions factor
changes to NABERS Energy
tools impacted plans by
property owners to de-gasify
quicker than they otherwise
would have?
Jamie Park: Last year, NABERS
updated their Energy tools to use
the latest National Greenhouse
Accounts (NGA) Emissions Factors
to calculate ratings, ensuring the tool
accurately takes into account the
decarbonisation of the grid. The NGA
Emissions Factors are used to reflect
the emissions linked to different fuel
sources used in a building,
including gas.
As part of that update, prediction
tools were released to allow
building owners to see the impact
on their ratings in 2025 and 2030.
Consequently we’re finding property
owners and managers are planning
capex works with an eye on these
targets – de-gasification included,
particularly those that rely on large
gas consuming equipment such as
gas boilers and cogeneration systems
to currently drive their NABERS energy
ratings up.
A.G. Coombs Advisory’s work on
the 101 Collins gas hot water plant
conversion was recognised at the
Energy Efficiency Council’s 2022
National Energy Efficiency Awards
with the Integrated Clean
Energy Award.
This award recognises projects that
have demonstrated excellence in
integrating high levels of energy
productivity and renewable energy
at the site, portfolio, precinct or
community level.
2022-2023
37

Right on Q
The new 6 star Green Star rated, mass timber
constructed Q Building reflects the University of
Newcastle’s aspiration to display innovation within the
built form, so as to inspire innovation in building use.
Energy Model
With no comparable
benchmarking data available
to gauge the performance of
the building systems through
commissioning and tuning,
A.G. Coombs Advisory identified
the need for an as-built energy
model to be produced.
Designed by EJE Architecture
and built by Hansen Yuncken, the
Q Building represents the first stage
of the University’s new Honeysuckle
City Campus.
Accommodating the School of
Humanities, Creative Industries
and Social Sciences (HCISS) and
Integrated Innovation Network
(I2N) hub, the building sets a new
sustainability benchmark for the
Newcastle region and regional NSW
more broadly.
Sustainability features include a
mass timber glulam (glued laminated
timber) structure, solar PV array, 100%
renewable electricity supply and
innovative electrochromic glazing on
the building façade that maintains
transparency while reducing peak
thermal load.
This innovative façade solution by
sustainability consultant WSP allowed
for the mechanical services systems
to be designed to a lower peak load,
delivering energy efficiency savings
year round.
A.G. Coombs Advisory was appointed
as the watching brief consultant on
the project, as well as the independent
commissioning agent (ICA) from the
beginning of the project’s detailed
design phase.
“While the involvement of an ICA
within the project from design through
to post-construction was a direct
Green Star credit requirement, our
involvement through the design,
commissioning and tuning phases
provided continuity that might
otherwise have been lost,” says
Andrew Bagnall, Leader – Technical
Advice (NSW/ACT) at A.G. Coombs
Advisory.
Responsible for the review of all
engineering services commissioning
within the building including
mechanical, electrical, hydraulics,
fire and vertical transportation,
the Advisory team was also –
somewhat unusually – charged with
reviewing the commissioning of the
electrochromic façade.
“Although, in theory, the
electrochromic technology
circumvented any issues with NCC
Section J compliance – and was
modelled to enable the building to
meet its challenging sustainability
targets – the solution had never
been tested at scale in the southern
hemisphere in this manner.”
The relationship between the
operation of the façade and the
building’s mechanical services was
critical in ensuring that both thermal
comfort conditions and energy
efficiency targets were achieved.
Should the glazing have failed to
perform as expected, there was a
risk that the mechanical services
systems would be undersized and
consequently lead to poor thermal
comfort and high energy use.
Additionally, the glazing performance
impacts the daylight harvesting
system, so a careful balance was
sought between all three systems
to optimise the performance of
the building.
Any concerns about the performance
of the electrochromic façade and
it’s interaction with the mechanical
services systems have been allayed
since construction of the Q Building
reached practical completion in 2021.
The model proved to be a very
valuable tool as the tuning
period wore on, providing a
granular breakdown of energy
consumption projections by
end-use system to match the
sub-metering breakdown of the
Q Building.
By obtaining updated monthly
energy modelling projections
that matched the metering
structure from WSP on practical
completion, the ICA team
was able to benchmark the
performance of each building
system down to individual plant
items from the first month of the
tuning period.
“The building genuinely does respond
very differently to ambient conditions
and solar loads compared with
conventional shading and static
glazing solutions,” says Andrew.
“In this regard, it has been a very
interesting building to work with.”
The Q Building opened to students
ahead of Semester 1 classes
commencing in late-February 2022.
“Thanks to the contribution of project
partners like A.G. Coombs Advisory,
the Q Building not only demonstrates
the University’s commitment to
sustainability but represents a
significant step towards achieving
carbon neutrality by 2025,” says
Damian Burke, NeW Futures Capital
Projects Director at the University
of Newcastle.
38 Building Efficiency

Representing world leading status for healthy, resilient,
positive buildings and places Building Q is the first
building in regional NSW to achieve a 6 Star Green Star
‘Design and As Built’ certified rating.
EDUCATION
2022-2023
39

the future
High
Ambitions
40 Building Efficiency

One of the world’s most
ambitious construction
projects has commenced
in Sydney with ground
being broken on the new
sustainable headquarters
of global software
company Atlassian.
Image: Atlassian
2022-2023
41

Image: Atlassian
The architectural design organises the interior into
seven interconnected, four-level “habitats”. Each
“habitat” is then divided into three distinct climate
zones to reduce the demand on mechanical air
conditioning and heating.
42 Building Efficiency

The sustainable, energy
efficient design of
Atlassian Central aims to:
• Achieve a 50% reduction
in embodied carbon in
construction for facade,
substructure and super
structure compared to
a conventional construction
project.
• Consume 50% less operational
energy compared to a
conventional building.
• Be powered by 100%
renewable energy from day
one of operation.
• Target 5.5 star NABERS Energy
Commitment Agreement and
6 star Green Star design rating.
• WELL Platinum Core rating.
• LEED Platinum rating.
Located within the NSW State
Government-led Tech Central
precinct and adjacent to Central
Station, the 39-storey tower is
expected to be the world’s tallest
commercial hybrid timber building
when completed.
Designed by SHoP Architects in
partnership with local firm BVN,
Atlassian Central’s mass-timber
construction will be supported within
a glass and steel exoskeleton that
incorporates an electricity-generating
façade system with shading
capabilities to minimise solar
heat gain.
Built – in a joint venture with Obayashi
Corporation (BOJV) – have been
appointed by developer Dexus to
construct the building.
BOJV were engaged as part of an
early contractor involvement (ECI)
agreement in May 2020 to work with
the Atlassian development team,
architects and consultant team on the
design. This early engagement saw
A.G. Coombs assist BOJV to work
through the early concept mechanical
services design by consultant LCI,
before A.G. Coombs collaborated
with LCI in documenting the design
in 3D modelling.
Having developed a strong
understanding of the project through
this process, A.G. Coombs was
subsequently invited by BOJV to
tender for the mechanical services
design and construct (D&C), and
awarded the project in 2022.
“The unresolved design featured a
number of environmental aspirations,
so our team has worked to valueengineer
the mechanical services
solution to achieve these within the
build price,” says Ryujin Lee, Senior
Design Engineer with A.G. Coombs.
The architectural design organises
the interior into seven interconnected,
four-level “habitats”. Each “habitat”
is then divided into three distinct
climate zones to reduce the demand
on mechanical air conditioning
and heating, and thereby reducing
energy consumption and associated
greenhouse gas emissions.
The three-level outdoor garden zone,
closest to the operable façade, will be
naturally ventilated and
takes advantage of Sydney’s
temperate climate.
The middle office zone will have
access to natural ventilation from the
outdoor zone as well as mechanical
ventilation. The interior office zone
closest to the building’s core will be
mechanically conditioned, but has
been designed with a higher-thanusual
operating temperature band of
24˚C - 26˚C. Passive radiant (chilled)
beams and ceiling fans are intended
to provide occupant comfort at these
higher temperatures.
The radiant beams are named so for
their ability to provide both radiant
cooling and heating. As such, they
will also be used to provide perimeter
heating, and have undergone
comprehensive laboratory testing
and benchmarking by A.G. Coombs
using overseas examples.
The hybridity of systems serving
Atlassian Central means much of
A.G. Coombs’ work to date has
centred on the validation of thermal
comfort within the occupied spaces,
and the development of a complex
dehumidification strategy.
“Our early engagement certainly
helped the team to develop a strong
assessment of the conceptual
mechanical services design,” says
Ryujin. “Our work to date has been
around ensuring these aspirations are
achievable from a build perspective.”
Limited spatial availability, and the
requirement for services to be
exposed as a consequence of the
building’s mass timber construction,
has also seen the A.G. Coombs
team work collaboratively with the
architects and structural engineers
to identify suitable solutions.
Similarly, an innovative solution
is required to ensure the rooftop
mechanical services plant does not
impact the shadow line created by
the diagonal cut of the high level
façade – one of the building’s unique
architectural features.
Only on the top four “crown” floors
will the mechanical services design
reflect a traditional solution, with
centralised plant serving multiple
air handling units (AHUs).
Construction of Atlassian Central
commenced in the second half of
2022, with completion expected
by 2027.
“While the client rightly sets the
sustainability vision for the project,
builders and contractors play an
active role in realising that vision,”
says Jared Brookes, Services
Manager at Built.
“Given the sustainability aspirations
of the Atlassian Central project,
BOJV has selected key partners
whose expertise will positively
influence the sustainability outcomes.
We look forward to the contribution
A.G. Coombs will make to this
world-leading project.”
2022-2023
43

in the news
Project Excellence at 2022 ARBS
Industry Awards
A.G. Coombs with Aurecon were recognised at the
2022 ARBS Industry Awards for Project Excellence
for the work at the landmark 25 King Street building
in Brisbane.
The Award recognises standout
Australian HVAC or Refrigeration
projects that demonstrate innovation
and a sustainable approach and
can show strong environmental
credentials.
Australia’s tallest engineered timber
office building, 25 King has pushed
boundaries in design, construction,
indoor environment quality and
sustainability.
The large-scale prefabricated nature
of the engineered timber construction
presented a wide range of challenges
to the HVAC design and
installation teams.
A.G. Coombs Group
Net Zero 2030
Commitment
Climate change is the most
critical challenge facing
the world today.
Through their construction and
operation, buildings are responsible
for nearly 40% of annual global CO 2
emissions. As the industry leader in
building services the A.G. Coombs
Group is committed to minimising its
emissions impact.
The world must move from
a ‘best endeavours’ carbon
reduction process to a definitive
Solving these through innovation
borne out of close collaboration
between the teams provides a
clear model for HVAC design and
installation in the future application
of this sustainable form of
construction.
The project has achieved WELL
Core and Shell v1 Certification at
the Platinum level, Green Star 6-star
Design and As Built v1.1 ratings, and
NABERS 6 Star base building Energy,
4.5 Star Water ratings, 3.0 Star
NABERS Waste Rating plus Climate
Active Carbon Neutral certification.
and transparently accounted for
elimination approach.
A.G. Coombs Group has made a
corporate commitment to a Net Zero
goal: Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational
emissions by 2030 and will work with
our value chain, industry partners and
customers to achieve Net Zero Scope
3 emissions by 2040.
44 Building Efficiency

Vale Warwick Stannus, A.G. Coombs
Group Engineering Manager
The management and staff of the A.G. Coombs Group
of Companies are deeply saddened by the passing of
Warwick Stannus.
Following a ten plus year association
with A.G. Coombs through his role as a
Design Engineer including his role as a
Director of International Consultancy,
Lincolne Scott, Warwick commenced
with A.G. Coombs in 2003 in a newly
created role of Group Engineering
Manager.
Warwick was also trusted with
developing the early growth of
A.G. Coombs Advisory and was
instrumental in the development
of Independent Commissioning
Agent services for many of
Australia’s early leading Green
Star projects. Responsible for
technical standards and innovation
he was a key driving force behind
A.G. Coombs pioneering work in
large scale off-site prefabrication
of building services. Passionate
about professional development
and the potential of young people,
Warwick was responsible for the
technical leadership and professional
development of A.G. Coombs
engineering and technical staff.
With a strong background in both
consulting and contracting, Warwick
was a primary instigator of the world
leading BIM-MEPAUS initiative in 2010
that digitised the design and delivery
of building services in Australia, and as
long time Technical Director, he was
pivotal in its ongoing development
and influence.
Warwick is widely recognised for
his work over many years in the
development of innovative industry
standards, practices and workflows,
and a frequent contributor to industry
journals and conferences, sharing
ideas, and driving change and industry
development.
In 2021, Warwick was awarded the
Airconditioning and Mechanical
Contractors Association’s (AMCA)
Distinguished Service Award.
Young talent recognised at Industry
Excellence Awards
High quality staff are our major strength and the
long-standing policy of attracting and developing
only the best continues to reinforce a reputation that
A.G. Coombs is “the place to work”. Our commitment
to training and career development has been
recognised this year through industry awards:
Victorian Air-Conditioning and
Mechanical Contractors’ Association
Industry Excellence Awards
Charlie O’Connor
Winner – Apprentice/Trainee
of the Year
Nicholas Kropf
Winner – Young Achiever
of the Year
Emily McKernan
Finalist – Engineering and
Technical Award
New South Wales Air-Conditioning
and Mechanical Contractors’
Association Industry Excellence
Awards
Nathan Waugh
Winner – Future Leader Award
Pawel Nowicki
Winner – Engineering and
Technical Award
Mark Hopping
Finalist – Trades Award
A.G. Coombs Group provides
strong foundations for interesting
and fulfilling careers though a
structured and challenging Graduate
Program and an Industry-leading
Apprenticeship and Trainee Program.
202-2023
45

A.G. Coombs Group
Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Townsville
Head Office:
26 Cochranes Road (PO Box 1136)
Moorabbin, VIC 3189
General Enquiry: 03 9248 2700
The A.G. Coombs Group is a privately owned Australian group of companies that provides
A.G. Coombs Group
an Melbourne, A.G. integrated Coombs Sydney, range Group Canberra, of technical Brisbane, services Townsville for all systems in buildings, from design through
to Melbourne, installation, Sydney, commissioning, Canberra, Brisbane, maintenance Townsville and ongoing operation and management.
Head Office:
Operating 26 Head Cochranes Office: for Road over (PO 70 Box years, 1136) A.G. Coombs has a national capability with major operations
on Moorabbin, 26 Cochranes
Australia’s VIC Road 3189 eastern
(PO Box
seaboard.
1136)
General Moorabbin, Enquiry: VIC 3189 03 9248 2700
General Enquiry: 03 9248 2700
Melbourne 03 9248 2700 | Sydney 02 8020 6000 | Canberra 02 6217 5600
The A.G. Coombs Group is a privately owned Australian group of
The A.G. Coombs Group is a privately owned Australian group of
for companies all systems that in provides buildings, an from integrated design range through of technical to installation, services
commissioning, for all systems in maintenance buildings, from and design ongoing through operation to installation, and management.
Operating commissioning, for over maintenance 70 years, A.G. and Coombs ongoing has operation a national and capability management. with
major Operating operations for over on 70 Australia’s years, A.G. eastern Coombs seaboard. has a national capability with
major operations on Australia’s eastern seaboard.
Brisbane companies 07 that 3648 provides 0500 an integrated | Townsville range of 07 technical 4431 1000 services | agcoombs.com.au
A.G. Coombs Projects
A.G. Melbourne Coombs 03 9248 Projects 2700 | Sydney leverage 02 8020 a National 6000 Centre of Excellence approach, where teamwork
Canberra Melbourne 02036217 9248 5600 2700 | Brisbane | Sydney 07 023648 80200500 6000 | agcoombs.com.au
and Canberra project 02 6217 management 5600 | Brisbane skills 07 3648 set the 0500 company | agcoombs.com.au apart. This approach also provides high
end A.G. engineering, Coombs Projects project management and site personnel to deliver successful projects
throughout A.G. Coombs Australia. Projects
A.G. Coombs Projects leverage a National Centre of Excellence
approach, A.G. Coombs where Projects teamwork leverage and a project National management Centre of Excellence skills set the
company approach, apart. where This teamwork approach and also project provides management high end skills engineering, set the
project company management apart. This approach and site personnel also provides to deliver high end successful engineering, projects
throughout project management Australia. and site personnel to deliver successful projects
throughout Australia.
03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/projects/
03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/projects/
03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/projects/
A.G. Coombs Service
A.G. Coombs Service
A.G. Coombs Serviceis a specialist provider of air conditioning, mechanical services, building
controls
A.G. Coombs
and
Service
bundled
is a specialist
services
provider
maintenance.
of air conditioning,
Delivering 24/7 building support, the company is a
mechanical A.G. Coombs services, Service building is a specialist controls provider and bundled of air conditioning, services
preferred maintenance. mechanical services, supplier Delivering building to 24/7 the building controls Facilities support, and Management bundled the company services Industry is and provides professionally managed,
highly a maintenance. preferred qualified supplier Delivering technical to the 24/7 Facilities building staff Management to support, achieve the Industry company improved and is reliability, lower costs and regulatory
compliance
provides a preferred professionally supplier to the
in commercial,
managed, Facilities highly Management
retail
qualified Industry
and industrial
technical and
buildings.
staff to
achieve provides improved professionally reliability, managed, lower highly costs and qualified regulatory technical compliance staff to in
commercial, achieve improved retail and reliability, industrial lower buildings. costs and regulatory compliance in
commercial, retail and industrial buildings.
03 9676 4600 | agcoombs.com.au/service/
03 9676 4600 | agcoombs.com.au/service/
03 9676 4600 | agcoombs.com.au/service/
A.G. Coombs Advisory
A.G. Coombs Advisory
A.G. Coombs Advisory provides quality advice and consulting services
across A.G. Coombs numerous Advisory disciplines provides including quality mechanical, advice and electrical, consulting hydraulics services
and across fire numerous protection disciplines services and including building mechanical, technologies. electrical, A.G. Coombs hydraulics
A.G. Coombs Advisory provides quality advice and consulting services across numerous disciplines
Advisory and fire protection is Australia’s services leading and provider building of technologies. Green Star Independent A.G. Coombs
including Commissioning Advisory Australia’s mechanical, Agent leading (ICA) services electrical, provider for of projects hydraulics Green Star requiring Independent and Green fire protection Star services and building technologies.
A.G. ‘As Commissioning Built’ Coombs Certification. Agent (ICA) services for projects requiring Green Star
Advisory is Australia’s leading provider of Green Star Independent Commissioning
‘As Built’ Certification.
Agent 03 9248 (ICA) 2700 services | agcoombs.com.au/advisory/
for projects requiring Green Star ‘As Built’ Certification.
03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/advisory/
03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/advisory/
Acknowledgement to Country
The A.G. Coombs Group acknowledges the
Traditional Owners of Country throughout
Australia and recognises their continuing
connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures,
and to elders past and present and emerging.
Sustainability: This publication is printed
on Sovereign A2 Silk, an FSC certified paper
manufactured with ISO 14001 EMS
accreditation and elemental chlorine
free pulps.
Walker Fire Fire Protection
Walker Fire Protection
Walker Fire Protection provides a range of fire protection and
detection Walker Fire services, Protection from provides high end a range project of engineering fire protection advice and and
Walker consultancy detection Fire services, through Protection from to concept high provides end and project detailed a engineering range design, of installation fire advice protection and of and detection services, from
high all consultancy types end of project fire through detection to
engineering
concept and suppression and detailed
advice systems, design,
and consultancy and installation ongoing of
through to concept and detailed design,
installation
inspection, all types of fire testing, detection
of all
maintenance and suppression
types of fire
and
detection
regulatory systems, compliance and ongoing
and suppression
support.
inspection, testing, maintenance and regulatory compliance support. systems, and ongoing inspection,
testing, 03 9279 7100 maintenance | agcoombs.com.au/walkerfire/
and regulatory compliance support.
03 9279 7100 | agcoombs.com.au/walkerfire/
03 9279 7100 | agcoombs.com.au/walkerfire/
Integrated Technical Management
Integrated Technical Management
Integrated Technical Management is a high quality provider of
Technical Integrated Facilities Technical Management specialising is a high quality in technically provider complex of
Technical Facilities Management specialising in technically complex
Integrated and critical facilities Technical such as Management data and internet is centres, a high major quality provider of Technical Facilities Management
commercial and critical facilities complexes such and as sophisticated data and internet industrial centres, plants. major
specialising commercial complexes in technically and sophisticated complex industrial and critical plants. facilities such as data and internet centres,
major
03 9248
commercial
2700 | agcoombs.com.au/itm/
complexes and sophisticated industrial plants.
03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/itm/
03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/itm/

More than One Story
By Michelle Kerrin

Bringing
Buildings
to Life
BE - Building Efficiency | 2022-23
A.G. Coombs Group
Melbourne | Sydney | Canberra
| Brisbane | Townsville
T
W
03 9248 2700
www.agcoombs.com.au