Steel Backbone: Tali Engineering Supports ACMD’s Structural Ambitions

Tali Engineering delivered precision structural steelwork for ACMD, overcoming complex logistics on a live hospital site.

Tali Engineering

As Australia’s first hospital-based medical research facility of its kind, the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD) demanded nothing less than excellence, both in design and execution.

Supporting the structural backbone of this cutting-edge project was Tali Engineering, a South Australian-based steel fabrication and erection company with a national footprint and a reputation for precision. For over 38 years, Tali Engineering has specialised in structural steel fabrication, bringing expertise to large-scale commercial and industrial developments across South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.

John Tali, the Director of Tali Engineering, says “For our customers, we commit to delivering a standard of work that exceeds their expectations – extending beyond the norms of good service. We work closely with our customers to ensure an accurate determination of scope – and how best we can apply our decades of experience to facilitate the efficient delivery of high-quality steel in a cost-effective & timely manner with zero incidents”.

The ACMD project, built by Kane Constructions, offered the ideal platform for Tali’s capabilities and collaborative approach.

“Our team was responsible for the structural steel supply, fabrication, and erection—particularly the roof steel and external canopies,” said John. “These were key architectural features that needed to meet not only structural standards but also the aesthetic vision of the project.”

Delivering the steelwork on such a complex inner-city build came with its own set of challenges. The project required close coordination with other trades and teams, all operating within a tight footprint and compressed timeframes.

“Access was extremely limited, and we had to work within the constraints of a live site with active medical and university facilities,” John explained. “We relied heavily on tower crane logistics and precise sequencing to install the large canopy and roof sections.”

To meet the demands of the ACMD’s innovative architecture, Tali Engineering used special-grade steel plates, custom-fabricated to accommodate the building’s sleek structural profile. Their team of 50 professionals, including 30 dedicated to this project, were instrumental in ensuring smooth delivery, from shop drawing to final install.

Tali Engineering’s certified quality systems and rigorous internal standards were crucial in managing the complexity of the job. As a CC3 Certified Company, Tali is accredited to handle high-risk and structurally significant projects, including hospitals, education buildings, and large-scale infrastructure.

“Quality is not just a tick-box exercise for us. It’s at the centre of everything we do—from procurement through to weld integrity and installation,” said John. “On projects like ACMD, there’s no margin for error.”

Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery
CCAC Health Club, Alice Springs
Jarvis Gepps Cross, SA
Mt Baker RALC, SA
Bulla Frozen Food, Colac VIC
Coopers Brand Home, SA
PPG Factory, Clayton VIC
Monash University VIC

Their commitment to excellence has earned them repeat business with top-tier builders and developers.

Alongside ACMD, the company is currently engaged in projects such as the Bulla Frozen Factory, Mount Barker RALC, and 88 O’Connell Street in North Adelaide, with recently completed works at the Jarvis Showroom adding to their impressive portfolio.

Tali Engineering were awarded the MVP award by Kane Constructions for their excellent performance on St Vincent’s Hospital Car Park project completed in 2024.

Yet what sets Tali Engineering apart isn’t just their technical capability—it’s their culture of collaboration. John emphasised that successful delivery at ACMD was the result of a shared vision and open communication with Kane Constructions and other subcontractors.

“Steelwork doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s the backbone that holds together services, finishes, and façades. That’s why coordination is everything,” John said. “We worked hard to integrate seamlessly into the broader construction program.”

For a company that started in 1987 and has grown steadily through its reputation for reliability, ACMD represents not only
a technical triumph but also a symbolic one—a structure that will house the next generation of medical discovery, quite literally supported by Tali’s steel.

“It’s always an honour to contribute to a project with this kind of legacy,” John concluded. “Knowing that our work will be part of a centre that changes lives through research and innovation—it’s something the whole team is proud of.”

Tali Engineering Logo

For more information contact Tali Engineering, phone 08 8240 4711, email reception@talieng.com.au, website www.talieng.com.au

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VIC Civil Navigates Complex Early Worksin a Live Hospital Environment

Vic Civil delivered complex early works at ACMD, ensuring precision and safety in a live hospital setting.

Vic Civil

Delivering civil infrastructure within a live hospital precinct requires more than technical capability—it demands precision, adaptability, and constant collaboration.

At St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Vic Civil was tasked with delivering the early works package for the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD), Australia’s first hospital-based biomedical engineering research facility.

“Our scope included bulk earthworks for the basement, pile trimming, capping beams, shotcrete retention walls, pile caps, crane base detailing, backfilling, and stormwater infrastructure,” explained Aaron Taylor, Vic Civil Owner and Managing Director. “These foundational elements were critical in setting the pace for follow-on trades and ensuring long-term structural integrity and watertight performance.”

Working in Melbourne’s CBD is never straightforward, but the challenge was heightened by ACMD’s location within the operational St Vincent’s Hospital precinct.

“Excavation and spoil removal had to be carefully managed due to constrained site access and proximity to active hospital services,” Aaron said. “We used staged excavation strategies, real-time coordination with traffic controllers and the builder, and efficient dewatering systems to maintain progress.”

Adding to the complexity were strict protocols around noise, dust, and vibration. Vic Civil implemented real-time monitoring systems and adopted low-impact methods to minimise disruption. “Safety and minimal interference with hospital operations were non-negotiables,” said Aaron. “We worked closely with Kane Constructions and the hospital’s facilities team to adapt our schedule and methods wherever needed.”

Environmental sustainability was also a key priority. The team adhered to erosion and sediment control plans and ensured stormwater infrastructure, such as AGI drains and pits, were installed to reduce runoff and protect nearby assets.

“We were meticulous in our waste management,” noted Aaron. “All spoil was tracked and disposed of at licensed facilities, ensuring full environmental compliance and accountability.”

Among the more technically demanding components were the shotcrete retention walls and capping beams.

Aerial shots of Vic Civil completing a concrete pour, on a large scale slab.
Vic Civil employee finishing the slab on a new concrete pour
Vic Civil crew completing a concrete slab pour.

“The variable ground conditions and proximity to existing structures meant we had to work in lockstep with structural engineers and piling contractors,” Aaron said. Seamless collaboration also proved crucial during stormwater installation and services coordination, where timing and precision were critical to avoid downstream disruptions.

Technology played a vital role in ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Vic Civil used 3D survey equipment and GPS machine control, especially for pile caps, crane bases, and drainage systems, where tolerances
were tight.

Safety was equally rigorous, supported by SWMS protocols, toolbox talks, and live risk assessments. Digital project management tools helped streamline communication, documentation, and real-time issue resolution.

Clear and constant communication with Kane Constructions was a linchpin in Vic Civil’s delivery strategy. “Our supervisors were embedded within the broader project team, allowing for real-time coordination,” Aaron said. “Daily meetings, lookahead programmes, and detailed progress reporting helped ensure alignment and agility.”

Looking back, Aaron says the team takes particular pride in delivering complex basement and drainage works within such a constrained and sensitive environment.

“Completing these tasks on time, incident-free, and to a high-quality standard, while navigating the challenges of a live hospital setting, is something we’re incredibly proud of,” Aaron said. “This project reflects the kind of technical, collaborative, and mission-driven work VIC Civil excels at.”

By providing precise, high-performance civil infrastructure at the heart of a medical innovation precinct, Vic Civil has helped lay the groundwork for generations of breakthroughs to come in health research and care.

For more information contact Vic Civil, phone 03 9793 4737, email admin@viccivil.com, website www.viccivil.com

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