In November 2024 Contact Group successfully completed work on the new $16-million helipad project at the Launceston General Hospital.
Built on the top of the hospital’s Cleveland Street car park, the helipad features an aerobridge connection into the hospital for direct transfer to Emergency Department, ICU and operating theatres.
Contact Group spent about 12 months at the site, having been contracted by VOS Construction to carry out the electrical, communications, security, mechanical, medical gases and fire safety system installation.
Contact Group’s Site Supervisor, Dylan Ellings, said it was a unique project, that involved plenty of logistical challenges.
“Being 30 metres up from the ground, running cables on the sky bridge has been quite a challenge, we’ve had to do it all and then get a boom lift later on to tie it all in.
Everything is seismic rated as well so that adds another layer of complexity to the building stage,” he said.
The working conditions weren’t for everyone.
“One of the biggest challenges has been the height, some ppl can get a bit of a phobia of heights and get shaky knees.
Unfortunately, we have been here over winter as well, so it’s been pretty cold, six layers of clothing to keep warm,” he said.
“But not everyone has this opportunity – I mean look at it it’s beautiful, an absolutely amazing office, you’ve got a brilliant view, a full 360 of Launceston.”
Members of Contact Group’s management team attended the first test flights and official opening of the helipad in October, which was hugely exciting and a great way to cap off the project.
Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you to the Tasmanian Government and VOS for the opportunity to carry out the electrical components.
Site Supervisor Dylan Ellings said it’s definitely an amazing project to have been part of, which will have a great impact on healthcare in northern Tasmania.
“I can’t thank my team enough; we’ve been in this together and helped each other along and without them we would not have been able to deliver this project. They’ve done an exceptional job,” Dylan said.