Snowy Hydro Project – Marica Facility
— Structural steel erection for the Snowy Hydro Project at the Marica facility, including installation of large-scale steel structures over active tunnelling infrastructure.
Project Type & Industry
Industrial - Infrastructure / Energy
Delivery Method
Subcontract (via Principal Contractor)
Principal Contractor
Salini Impregilo
Location
Monaro Highway, Cooma NSW
Delivery Period
2020 - 2021
Status
Complete
Project Scale
200+ tonnes of structural steel erected for a 20+ metre-high structure over a 20-metrewide operational shaft.
Services Delivered
Structural Steel Erection
Project Highlights
200+ Tonnes
Structural steel erected
20+ Metres
Height of completed structure
20-Metre-Wide Shaft
Installation over active tunnelling infrastructure
Accelerated Delivery
Completed prior to snow season commencement
— Project Overview
The Snowy Hydro Project at Marica, located near Cooma NSW, formed part of one of Australia’s largest infrastructure and energy developments, supporting major tunnelling and hydroelectric operations within the Snowy Hydro scheme.
JKR Group Australia Pty Ltd was engaged to complete the erection of more than 200 tonnes of structural steel for the facility, including construction of a 20+ metre-high structure positioned above a 20-metre-wide operational shaft used for spoil removal from the tunnel boring machine.
The project required careful planning, precise steel installation and accelerated delivery to ensure completion prior to the commencement of the NSW snow season.
— Project Challenges
- Operational Shaft Construction: Structural steel erection was completed directly above an active shaft used to remove spoil from tunnel boring operations, requiring strict safety controls and coordinated installation sequencing.
- Remote & Weather-Sensitive Conditions: The project timeline was heavily impacted by seasonal weather conditions, with all works needing to be completed before the onset of snow
- Large-Scale Structural Installation: Erection of a 20+ metre-high structure involving over 200 tonnes of steel required precise crane operations, alignment, and installation accuracy.
— Solution
The team implemented a tightly managed erection schedule to ensure all steel installation works were completed within the limited construction window prior to winter conditions impacting site access and operations.
Careful coordination between lifting activities, shaft operations and site logistics ensured safe and efficient project delivery.
— Services Delivered
Structural Steel Erection
Erection of more than 200 tonnes of structural steel for a major infrastructure facility within the Snowy Hydro scheme.
Elevated Steel Structure Construction
Construction of a 20+ metre-high steel structure positioned above a 20-metre-wide operational shaft.
Crane & Heavy Lift Operations
Coordination of complex lifting activities, steel assembly, and structural alignment for large-scale steel components.
Infrastructure Safety & Quality Management
Delivery of works within a live infrastructure environment, maintaining strict safety controls, installation sequencing, and quality standards throughout construction.
Live Infrastructure Installation
Structural steel installation completed directly over active tunnelling infrastructure supporting tunnel boring operations.
— Outcome
The successful completion of the structural steel erection works contributed to the ongoing delivery of the Snowy Hydro infrastructure program and supported critical tunnelling operations at the Marica facility.
Despite challenging site conditions and tight delivery timeframes, JKR Group safely completed the works within the required construction window, demonstrating capability in complex infrastructure and heavy industrial projects.
