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.
“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