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Balancing Development with Environmental Integrity and Compliance

Red Sand Ecology ensured environmental compliance and sustainability at Metroplex Westgate through expert planning and oversight.

Red Sand Ecology

At Wacol’s Metroplex Westgate precinct, Red Sand Ecology, led by Managing Director Sarah Hobson, ensured the project met top environmental standards. Their scope encompassed implementing erosion and sediment control plans for the entire Metroplex Westgate site in accordance with Brisbane City Council guidelines, requiring coordination with Douglas Constructions & Engineering (Lot 2) and Hutchinson Builders.

“We collaborated closely with the contractors to make sure our erosion and sediment control measures weren’t just compliant on paper but were actively upheld on site,” said Sarah. “Our inspections and oversight helped ensure that the work being done supported both council regulations and the project’s environmental objectives.”

Red Sand Ecology also contributed to fulfilling Green Star requirements drafting a technical memorandum to support the project’s environmental reporting. This included outlining how historical and legislative requirements were being addressed throughout the development.

Aerial of Lot 2 Metroplex Westgate
Dust Guage near a runway. Part of Red Sand Ecology's service capabilities.
Red Sand Ecology Acoustic Monitoring set up.
Three green frogs in the palm of a hand. Found during Red Sand Ecology's Ecology and fauna management.
Red Sand Ecology undergoing Water Quality Testing on a site.

“We participated in pre-start meetings with Brisbane City Council, helped shape erosion management plans, and mediated environmental risks with the regulators,” Sarah explained. “We also undertook water quality monitoring during construction and supported Hutchison Builders in ensuring ongoing environmental compliance.”

Known for their work across major council infrastructure and commercial projects, including involvement in Brisbane Metro’s sustainable transport initiative, Red Sand Ecology brings specialist experience in planning, due diligence, on-ground ecological surveys, plan development, and long-term monitoring.

“Our focus is on ensuring environmental integrity from the earliest planning stages through to practical completion,” said Sarah. “It’s about finding practical, science-led solutions that work for developers, councils, and the environment.”

At Metroplex Westgate, their expertise helped deliver a more sustainable, compliant, and environmentally responsible outcome, reinforcing Red Sand Ecology’s reputation as a trusted partner in Queensland’s growing infrastructure landscape.

For more information contact Red Sand Ecology, 1300 733 763, admin@redsandecology.com.au, website redsandecology.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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