Project
Main Switchboard Replacement
Key Challenges
- Ensuring uninterrupted operations in a highstakes, live hospital environment.
- Navigating strict drilling constraints limited to Saturday mornings only.
- Coordinating temporary power and staged switchboard cutovers under tight schedules.
Outcomes
Client satisfaction score of 98/100
Improved electrical reliability & future expansion readiness
Zero disruption to Austin Hospital’s operations
The Client
Austin Hospital is a leading Victorian healthcare provider, known for its person-centred medical care, cutting-edge research, and as the largest state provider of specialist physician and surgical training. Its main site in Heidelberg is home to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre and the Mercy Hospital for Women, forming a vital node in the region’s health network.
They are the largest Victorian provider of training for specialist physicians and surgeons and deliver services across multiple Melbourne sites, in homes, and regional hospitals. Nuvo has had a 3-year partnership with The Austin Hospital, during which we’ve delivered several successful electrical projects. This ongoing collaboration has positioned us as a trusted delivery partner for critical healthcare infrastructure works.
Given the complexity and sensitivity of its operations—including intensive care, surgery, and oncology services—any infrastructure project requires exceptional care and technical execution. This project formed part of a broader commitment to future-proof the hospital’s essential services without compromising live clinical activity.
What we achieved with our customer
The project involved the staged replacement of four Main Switchboards powering the Lance Townsend Building, a critical section of The Austin Hospital. To protect essential services such as surgery and intensive care, the project was executed under highly controlled conditions with no room for error.
Nuvo worked collaboratively with Ventia and the Austin Health delivery team to develop a robust execution strategy. A temporary backup generator was installed and commissioned ahead of time, ensuring complete continuity of supply during the switchover periods. Cutovers were staged with parallel A/B supplies, allowing old and new systems to operate in tandem throughout transitions.
Given limited access to conduct noisy works, particularly near theatres and oncology wards, our team pre‑marked drilling zones and prefabricated all work sites to optimise output during the restricted Saturday windows. This approach ensured compliance while keeping the project timeline on track.
Offsite prefabrication of modular switchboards and advance pre-testing further minimised on-site risk. The final electrical room layout was redesigned to meet updated safety codes, ensuring future regulatory compliance and supporting the hospital’s long-term operational growth.
