Kennards Hire: Answering the call

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Kennards Hire’s work on the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne has exemplified its capability and capacity to cater for major infrastructure projects, or in this case, one of the biggest transport projects in Australia’s history.

Melbourne is the fastest-growing city in Australia, with the city’s population expected to increase from 4.6 million to almost eight million by 2051, according to the Victorian Government.

In order to future-proof and ensure the continued efficiency of the city’s surrounding transport infrastructure, there has been ongoing investment and development to upgrade and improve existing routes.

Major works are also creating brand new transport options and connections for future generations. Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) is one such project.

The WGTP is one of the largest and most significant infrastructure developments ever undertaken in Australia, delivering a brand-new underground tunnel to provide an alternative transport route to the West Gate Bridge, which is approaching its serviceable capacity.

Once completed, twin tunnels under the suburb of Yarraville (between the West Gate Freeway and the Maribyrnong River) will deliver a vital alternative route that will remove thousands of trucks off residential streets and provide quicker and safer journeys for commuters.

Vehicle entry and exit points situated at both the southern and northern ends of the tunnels – otherwise known as portals – form a key part of the aesthetic and desired efficiency that will be provided as part of the overall project, delivered as part of Victoria’s ‘Big Build’ program.

Few local providers could cater for the size and volume required to deliver this essential and complicated project stage. Kennards Hire is one of them.

With a dedicated division and vast experience in project management, Kennards Hire can provide a dedicated team that works together with project stakeholders to deliver optimal outcomes. For major projects, such as this one, Kennards Hire also appoints a KMP manager (Kennards Major Projects), meaning assistance is only one call or a tap on the shoulder away.

Having already been engaged to deliver service and equipment to aid site entry on the project, as well as crib sheds, power tools and other smaller equipment – Kennards Hire was given the opportunity to tender. 

Its pitch included extra EWPs (Elevated Work Platforms), 10 180-foot boom lifts – that would facilitate the mid-air transfer of structures – and two 135-foot boom lifts. Two 215-foot boom lifts were also required to fix the structures over the ventilation building, which form part of the southern and northern tunnel portals. 

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Kennards Major Projects Victorian Manager, Cody Rowan, says the project was a great opportunity to showcase Kennards Hire’s access capabilities on one of the biggest and most visible civil construction projects in Melbourne.

“We were very transparent with our quote – there were no hidden costs or any hidden agendas,” Rowan says.

“We knew we could supply the equipment and provide training but what gave us a point of difference was offering a dedicated project manager to the project.

“That was really important, that we were honest and upfront about costs and delivery, that we had the backing of our national Kennards Hire network, a demonstrated reputation for quality equipment, while also being able to provide expert project management support onsite.”

Richard Impey, Project Manager – Kennards Hire was appointed to oversee this delivery, drawing on his vast industry experience and existing relationships with the West Gate Tunnel Project delivery team.

“Richard gave them a single point of contact and the confidence that we had the ability to deliver on what we said we were going to deliver, especially with regard to this specialised access equipment,” Rowan says.

Right man for the job

The equipment offered, as well as expertise, was seen as comprehensive, leading to Kennards Hire being handpicked for the job by CPB John Holland Site Superintendent, Unakea Taiki.

Taiki says that the timeliness and assistance offered play a key role in keeping a major project like this moving.

“Whenever I need equipment, Kennards Hire has delivered it then and there, no questions asked,” he says.

“With the great service we’ve already received, asking them to quote for this job was a ‘no-brainer’.”

He adds that a key standout has been the direct rapport with Impey, an individual who he says has added great value to the project delivery team.

“Richard is onsite every week to check on the equipment and the project. I’ll give him unrealistic deadlines, where I need a piece of equipment in the next hour or two and it’s always been supplied,” Taiki adds.

“If there’s an issue with anything, I know I can call him, and someone will be there within the next half an hour.”

Kennards Hire knows that time equals money, and for a project of this magnitude, every second counts. Which is why the company’s around-the-clock on-call service has become so important, Taiki says.

“We’re on multi-million-dollar projects, and when we want something, we want and need it now,” he says. “At the moment, Kennards Hire is the only one providing that level of service. 

“With the project operating 24/7, downtime is simply not an option. It’s critical to know there’s someone from Kennards Hire available at all times to solve our problems, should anything arise.”

The service and project capability has surpassed expectations, with Taiki saying Kennards Hire has set the standard for hire equipment services on major infrastructure projects.

“What I’d say to other hire equipment suppliers is if you want to be on the same page as Kennards Hire, your service needs to be top notch,” he says.

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