Alspec Industrial Business Park
The Alspec Industrial Business Park involved the 120-hectare transformation of rural land in Orchard Hills into a major industrial estate for bulky goods warehousing and manufacturing. Originally used for horse agistment and cattle grazing, the site required rezoning from rural to industrial-commercial use, which Co-Infra supported from the feasibility stage. Under a design and construct contract, Co-Infra was contracted to deliver all subdivision civil works, including over 800,000m³ of bulk earthworks, external road and intersection upgrades with TfNSW and Penrith City Council, internal services lead-ins (high voltage, water, sewer, gas, telecommunications), landscaping and sensitive environmental rehabilitation. This work integrates authority requirements, environmental management of riparian corridors draining to waterways and sensitive vegetation, and end-to-end subdivision delivery for future tenants.
TfNSW pavement re-design to achieve $8m+ in savings.
Initial designs for the pavement and intersection for the site’s external intersections included deep-lift, heavy-bound pavement sections throughout. While this met the client’s conservative design preferences, early budgeting revealed that it greatly exceeded the initial feasibility study budgets. Once identified, Co-Infra commissioned additional geotechnical testing, including detailed DCP subgrade investigations, to ensure a deeper inquiry into in-ground conditions. By completing these tests, it allowed us to identify specific zones requiring more robust treatment while applying standard flexible pavement designs in areas with better subgrade strength; demonstrating that full-depth heavy bound pavements were required across the entire intersection footprint. Working closely with consultants Arcadis and TfNSW in design workshops, this tailored solution was approved, avoiding over-engineering, excess material costs and approvals rounds. This ultimately achieved approximately $8m in savings for our client.
Avoiding extensive off-site disposal with on-site innovation.
During our detailed due diligence reviews and further intrusive ground testing, Co-Infra identified that the there was more topsoil than indicated on the client’s initial concept designs and early feasibility studies. To mitigate costly off-site disposal and strict EPA tracking and approvals hurdles, Co-Infra implemented a blending of the excess topsoil and structural fill under geotechnical guidance and approval; saving the client potential disposal costs of $1m+.
Accelerating program to meet adjusted tenant deadlines.
During delivery the client advised that one key tenant required a major pad available 6 weeks earlier than originally programmed. This was to meet the tenant’s lease and construction schedule due to that client needing to vacate their current premises and commence construction as soon as possible. Using our developer and client partnership mindset Co-Infra resequenced and accelerated works, increasing plant on site, opening additional workfaces to allow for construction from multiple sections and accelerating earthworks and services installation in targeted areas despite wet weather challenges. By adapting the program, Co-Infra was able to meet the new timelines with no additional cost to the client, allowing them to honour their leasing commitments while keeping the overall development on track.
