Case Study - Springfield Mater Hospital

Springfield Mater Hospital

Project Overview

Brown & Moodie was contracted to Ellis Air to deliver the mechanical services pipework for the Springfield Mater Hospital Stage 2 development - a major healthcare expansion designed to strengthen critical health infrastructure across South East Queensland.

The project includes a new public hospital and emergency department, an expanded private hospital, and a healthcare training facility co-located on the existing site.
Stage 2 will increase total capacity to 228 beds, comprising 174 public beds and 54 private, including a purpose-built pandemic ward designed for full isolation if required.

Our scope includes the design and installation of a new chilled water and condenser water system, integrating high-efficiency chillers, cooling towers, and pipework across the development.

Client/ Builder: John Holland / Ellis Air

Sector: Healthcare

Location: Springfield, QLD

Project Duration: 18 months (June 2024 – December 2025)

Scope: Delivery of mechanical services for Stage 2 of the Mater Hospital redevelopment, including a new chilled water and condenser water system featuring an integrated chiller and cooling tower plant.

The Objective

The project aimed to deliver a high-performing, energy-efficient, and maintainable mechanical system to support a critical healthcare environment.

Key objectives included:

Design and install a robust chilled and condenser water system
Maximise offsite prefabrication to minimise onsite disruption
Improve system maintainability and long-term serviceability
Deliver works safely, efficiently, and in alignment with program milestones

Challenges

Delivering complex mechanical infrastructure within an active hospital precinct presented several logistical and coordination challenges, including:

Managing design and delivery alongside existing operations
Tight program deadlines and critical commissioning milestones
Integration of new systems into a constrained and complex plant environment

Solutions and approach

To meet program requirements and minimise onsite risk, Brown & Moodie implemented an offsite planning and design strategy focused on maximising prefabrication opportunities.

Offsite prefabrication: Revised pipework materials and connections to support increased modular fabrication, achieving approximately 20% improvement in installation efficiency.
Collaborative coordination: Early engagement with consultants and subcontractors ensured seamless integration between design, offsite assembly, and onsite installation.
Precision planning: Sequencing and staging minimised site congestion and maintained safety standards across all workfronts.

This approach reduced installation time, improved quality assurance outcomes, and enhanced long-term maintainability through better accessibility to valvesets and system components.

Results and Impact

Delivered on time and within budget
20% faster installation through increased prefabrication
Improved maintainability with enhanced access to key components
Positive client feedback on collaboration, safety, and workmanship

“Brown & Moodie are a pleasure to deal with on site. Their forward planning and knowledge of the job is first rate — extremely knowledgeable with a strong emphasis on safety and quality. It’s always good to see Brown & Moodie on a job; you know it will be done right.”

- Tim McCreadie, General Foreman, John Holland