With the majority of the noisy E7A demolition work due to end this month, the construction of the new home for four departments within the Faculty of Science and Engineering is now well and truly under way.

While the demolition of external pavements, the internal courtyard façade, and the lift core is still in action, these ground works are due to come to a wrap in the next few weeks. The University scheduled these noisier works to be carried out between December and March to minimise the impact to staff and students on campus.

Since the project’s main contractor, Buildcorp Interiors, commenced on site in late November of last year, they have been working on demolishing old structures, laying foundation piers, and reinforcing existing columns and ceilings. In the future they will install a tower crane to help with the work on the structural plans for the building, including lifting the core, and working on the atrium.

With the project set to be completed in early 2017, there is still a way to go. However, these works are being completed as quickly as possible to minimise disruption to the University community.

Visit the Property website for more information or contact e7a.project@mq.edu.au.

During this time, a traffic controller will be on-site to direct traffic and any pedestrians. Three accessible parking spaces will be inaccessible for the duration of these works. One space is facing E7B and two are under the carpark adjacent to E8A.

For more information contact Elise Miller (elise.miller@mq.edu.au) or call ext 7189.

“We didn’t want to bury electrical cables around the wetland, so we went with solar,” said Mehir Lewis, Maintenance Coordinator, Property.

Mehir says the work involved has highlighted how rapidly solar technology is advancing. “Advancements in solar lighting technology created an opportunity to install an economical option which avoided the usual trenching for underground cables through the wetlands. These lights can now be installed and maintained by just one person, without the need for scaffolding or cherry-pickers which is the case for electrical street lighting.”

This makes cleaning, repairs and changing globes much more cost-effective. Adding further efficiency is the use of long-lasting LED globes and motion-activating sensors.

The initiative gets a tick on a health and wellbeing front too, offering students a safer walk home at night through the area with motion-sensor lighting guiding their way.

After four years of consultation and planning, the University’s new wayfinding and signage project has come to fruition, with new signage starting to appear around campus.

The existing three-digit code used to identify buildings will be replaced with a street name and number addressing system. New signage will be rolled out over a two-year period and buildings will use both identifying conventions until the project is completed.

To help staff and students navigate their way during this transition, Property are maintaining a Frequently Asked Questions page that provides information on the changes and how (and when) they will impact staff.

A draft campus map and quick reference location guide are available to download from the FAQs page.

Property are also hosting project information sessions for staff in March. Contact enquiries.property@mq.edu.au if you would like to attend one of these sessions:

•  Wednesday 16 March, 11am-12pm, C8A 310 Senate Room
• Thursday 17 March, 12pm-1pm, C8A 310 Senate Room
• Monday 21 March, 3pm-4pm, C8A 310 Senate Room

If you have any queries during this time from Monday 4 January, contact the Research Office Receptionist, Lauren Mikulasev on 9850 7987, and your query will be forwarded to the appropriate Research Office staff member.

For many, the temptation to sneak a peek into the world behind the hoarding walls surrounding Building E7A is all too much, with many staff asking This Week to get the scoop!

Several phone calls and a photo shoot later, This Week  brings you a look inside one of our oldest buildings, currently under construction.

Internally, Building E7A resembles an abandoned building, almost completely gutted with the final demolition work to be completed following the conclusion of exams. Once demolition is complete, newly appointed builder Buildcorp Interiors will commence the construction of the new, purpose-designed home for the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Over the next couple of months, the site will continue to be excavated and will include:

• laying building foundation piers
• the demolition of lift shafts before the installation of new structural steel for new lifts
• the demolition of external pavements and partial demolition of the internal courtyard façade
• the installation of new electrical, water, and communication services

The Property team has arranged for as much of the noisy works to be completed throughout December to February, with Session 3 classes scheduled away from the construction site where possible. The hoarding around the site has also been extended to ensure the safety of the University community as works increase.

If you have any questions or concerns about the E7A project, email e7a.project@mq.edu.au or visit mq.edu.au/e7a-project

• external wayfinding signage
• wayfinding signage into the campus
• boundary signage with new branding (entrances and main vehicle entry markers)
• internal building wayfinding signage (undertaken during a major building refurbishment)
• removal of ‘legacy’ signage.

What will change
The existing three-digit code used to identify buildings on campus will be replaced with a street name and number addressing system, as is used in public streets. Example below:

Initially buildings will use both identifying conventions until the completion of the project.

Room numbers (such as Y3A 212) will not change. Current building and room numbers will still be used in timetables, with new building addresses provided as supplementary information. Room numbers and signage will be updated during major building refurbishments.

In the coming weeks Property will:

• liaise with stakeholders to identify issues and discuss how to minimise the impact of the transition to the new building addressing system.
• conduct information sessions in December and throughout 2016 for any interested staff, providing more details about the project, planned rollout and the transition to the new addressing system
  (email  enquiries.property@mq.edu.au if you are interested in participating in an information session)
• provide printed and soft copy versions of the updated campus maps
• provide an address directory which will outline all current building identifiers and provide new building addresses.

Project background
Over the last four years Property has undertaken a significant review of wayfinding signage across the entire campus, including consultation and workshops with representatives from various faculties, departments and stakeholders. The delivery of new internal and external wayfinding signage is based on the 2014 Campus Master Plan and the new university branding strategy.

If staff have immediate concerns related to this project contact Christian Ulloa, Project Manager (Property) Christian.ulloa@mq.edu.au or call ext 1374.

The current hoarding around E7A will be extended, with work commencing out of hours from Thursday 26 November, in preparation for the commencement of construction in December.

The new hoarding will close access to the southern entry door from the Central Courtyard to E7B; however, the northern door from the Central Courtyard will remain accessible.

For more information about the hoarding extension, or about the E7A project in general, contact the Property at e7a.project@mq.edu.au.

For more information contact Alan Vidler (alan.vidler@mq.edu.au) or call ext 7141.

View the map of the impacted area.

Impact
The F7 car park disabled parking spaces will not be accessible during this time. Six new alternative disabled parking spaces will be available in the C1 carpark at the rear of the Security Building.  Staff who require assistance as a result of these changes should contact Campus Wellbeing, Health and Safety or Security Services.

The F7 car park entry and exit will be reconfigured to create a threshold to the substation and also improve the circulation of the car park and access to Building F7B. A new pedestrian footpath, landscaping and street lighting will be provided on the Research Park Drive frontage.

About the project
The new chamber substation will support the Campus Master Plan, providing power for the next 50 years to 50,000m2 of new science and medical research floor space, and contribute to a reduction in the long term campus electricity supply costs.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works.

For more information contact Robert Alcock (robert.alcock@mq.edu.au) or call ext. 1362.