Project Summary
Client: Lendlease
Date: 244 Flinders Street, Melbourne CBD
Crane: Liebherr LTM 1120-4.1
Project Overview
This month’s featured lift highlights a complex rooftop plant replacement project completed in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Working on one of Melbourne’s busiest streets, the Premier team was engaged to remove and replace rooftop air conditioning equipment at 244 Flinders Street.
The lift required the installation of new plant equipment and removal of existing units while operating within a highly restricted urban environment adjacent to active tram infrastructure.
The project demanded detailed lift planning, coordination with multiple stakeholders, strict permit controls, and precise crane positioning to safely execute the works while maintaining clearances from Yarra Trams assets and surrounding buildings.
Challenges
Operating Adjacent to Live Tram Infrastructure
One of the most significant project constraints was the proximity to Melbourne’s live tram network.
The crane setup and lifting operations were required to maintain strict exclusion distances from tram lines, tram stays, and overhead assets.
Solution:
- Detailed lift studies were completed to verify minimum clearances from tram infrastructure and no-go zones.
- Coordination was undertaken with Yarra Trams to obtain approvals and ensure compliance with operational requirements.
- Crane positioning and boom movements were carefully engineered to avoid slewing over neighbouring buildings and maintain safe working envelopes throughout the lift.
Restricted CBD Access
Working within a confined city street environment presented significant access and setup limitations.
With surrounding buildings, pedestrian infrastructure, traffic management requirements, and limited crane positioning options, accuracy was critical from mobilisation through to demobilisation.
Solution:
- The Liebherr LTM 1120-4.1was selected for its compact footprint and strong lifting capability, allowing the crane to operate efficiently within the available street space.
- Detailed lift planning identified the optimum crane location and lift path to safely access the rooftop plant area.
- Lift sequencing minimised disruptions while ensuring safe installation and removal of rooftop equipment.
Rooftop Mechanical Equipment Replacement
The project involved lifting multiple mechanical services components, including cooling tower sections, boilers, pumps, condensers, and associated rooftop plant equipment.
Solution:
- A staged lifting methodology was developed to safely remove existing equipment and install replacement units.
- Rigging configurations were tailored to suit varying load dimensions and rooftop access requirements.
- Close coordination between the crane crew, riggers, mechanical contractors, and site management ensured efficient execution throughout the shutdown window.
CONCLUSION
Engineering Excellence at Its Best
CBD lifting projects demand more than lifting capacity, they require planning, communication, engineering, and flawless execution.
This successful rooftop plant replacement demonstrates Premier’s ability to safely deliver complex lifting operations within highly constrained urban environments while coordinating multiple stakeholders and critical infrastructure interfaces.
From permit approvals and tram clearances through to final placement, the project was completed safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to surrounding operations.
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Whether it's a CBD rooftop replacement, infrastructure installation, or heavy industrial lift, Premier delivers engineered lifting solutions backed by experience and precision.