Despite some of the harshest weather conditions, Australian Telecoms Infrastructure Contractor GRA Networks, has achieved some incredible success on behalf of their clients Huawei and VHA with the completion of two mast sites in Victoria: Falls Creek and Bright.
Falls Creek and Bright are resort towns in North Eastern Victoria, Australia and well known as alpine and cross-country ski centres.
Not only was the weather extremely challenging, these high-profile projects were also logistically challenging due to the mountainous location.
Delivering the works, GRA Networks Australia Project Manager Craig Gibson, used all of his twenty years’ major telecoms project experience and knowhow to devise and deliver a unique and ‘out of the box’ solution.
Due to the difficult terrain, snow patrol equipment was used to transfer materials and equipment to the mast location at night, when the ski slopes were closed. The field team could only access the work site via the resort ski lifts.
Once the equipment had been finally delivered, installation works then commenced. The battle with the conditions was intense, ice and snow had to be removed from the monopole and equipment daily.
The timeframe was extremely challenging for GRA Networks Australia’s specialist rigging team, particularly as all of the equipment was installed using only slings, ropes and pulleys, and with these carefully planned and brilliantly effective techniques, the installation progressed successfully, whilst also ensuring that no damage was caused whatsoever to any of the existing equipment above the work zone.
Site welfare and site safety as always was the highest of priority for GRA’s staff – and this project was no different. Close monitoring was kept by Craig and his site supervisory team, to ensure that staff wellbeing and workforce safety were monitored every hour, with regular breaks and shift changes taking place more frequently than other typical telecom sites, mainly due to the freezing weather as well as the altitude.
Craig was very quick to heap deserved praise on his team for the contract success saying:
“Again you have gone above and beyond to get these sites over the line for our clients. Both sites had very tight timeframes and were very high profile for both Huawei and VHA. Weather conditions made these jobs even more of a challenge, but everyone worked together to make it happen.”
The project team from the client Huawei was also delighted with GRA Networks Australia’s efforts at these challenging sites and were quoted saying:
“I would like to thank you all on behalf of Huawei as without the team effort made with these sites they would not have been completed. Make no mistake guys, your efforts to deliver these sites and others is recognised and very much appreciated. We do not say it enough but trust me it is thought about every day, as every day has its own challenges.
“Keep up the great work team!”
GRA Networks Australia offers infrastructure contracting services on a design and construct basis.
We operate in the telecommunications, utility and energy sectors working on multi-disciplinary projects to meet the needs of our clients and provide cost-effective solutions to complex problems.
Led by experienced professionals with in depth knowledge of these sectors and supported by skilled and dedicated in house teams, we offer a fully integrated solution, allowing us to provide clients with a unique turnkey offering that is value adding.
This inclusive approach allows our clients to benefit from expertise in a number of sectors and ensures they receive the most appropriate advice and solution for their schemes.
With a skilled, multi-disciplinary workforce providing a broad range of services and operating in tandem with a highly experienced management team, GRA Networks is geared to meet our clients exacting demands.
Bespoke solutions for individual client requirements are central to GRA Networks’ offering.
We offer a fully planned and managed design and construct service, which includes materials procurement and logistics management.
