Batchelor Construction Group was engaged by Hydro Tasmania to deliver the construction of fourteen high-quality accommodation units and two service units, inclusive of all associated civil, hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical works.
The innovative construction process involved off-site fabrication of the units—eight at a time—at Batchelor’s premises in Kingston. Upon completion, the prefabricated units were craned onto transport trucks and carefully delivered to the remote site at Lake Pedder, Strathgordon, where they were again craned into position with precision.
The project presented several logistical and environmental challenges. During the civil works phase at Lake Pedder, the original design specified pile depths of approximately 2.2 metres deep, unforeseen subsurface conditions necessitated significantly deeper installation, with the deepest pile extending to an unexpected depth of 51 metres, with a total of length of blade piles being 2131m. Transporting oversized modular units through the narrow, winding roads of the Southwest Wilderness required detailed route planning and coordination with local authorities to ensure safe and efficient delivery.
In addition, the harsh and unpredictable climate of the region tested the resilience of the construction team, requiring adaptive strategies and robust scheduling to maintain progress.
Despite these complexities, the project was delivered to a high standard, with the finished product reflecting Batchelor Construction Group’s commitment to quality, innovation, and environmental sensitivity in one of Tasmania’s most pristine and challenging locations.
