As Australia’s only specialist eye, ear, nose and throat hospital, meticulous planning and rigorous processes paved the way for the successful delivery of the complex, multi staged Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital project. Extensive upgrades to this major inner city teaching hospital included the Emergency Department, specialty clinics, ambulatory services, University of Melbourne Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and the Centre for Eye Research Australia – cementing its status as a world class health facility.

Safety and continuous operations were paramount to the success of this critical piece of health infrastructure. Working within a busy hospital setting while removing hazardous material and undertaking demolition and rebuild in an area located between two central tower blocks with no direct street access required continuous communication and rigorous planning.

Rigorous planning and continuous communication was key to navigating the challenges of constructing among a live hospital environment

Seamlessly managing the largest live asbestos remediation project in Victoria required new ways of thinking. The team expertly developed protocols to manage asbestos remediation and hazardous materials removal. This two-stage pathways process and traffic light permit system were recognised by WorkSafe Victoria as best in class.