Three permanent homes delivered for Defence Housing Australia, approximately 2,350 km from Oly Homes' Sunshine Coast facility.

Project snapshot

Client: Defence Housing Australia
Location: RAAF Base Scherger, near Weipa, QLD
Project: Defence member and family housing
Homes: Three modular homes
Scope: Demolition, design and construction, transport, installation and commissioning
Distance: Approximately 2,350 km from Yandina to site

Challenge

Delivering permanent housing to RAAF Base Scherger presented challenges well beyond those of a typical residential build.

The remote Cape York location meant the project needed to account for significant transport distances, limited access to trades, seasonal weather and the hot, humid conditions of Far North Queensland.

The homes also needed to meet the requirements of Defence Housing Australia and provide quality, permanent accommodation suited to Defence members and their families.

Solution

Oly Homes manufactured the three homes at its Sunshine Coast facility in Yandina, allowing the construction to be completed in a controlled environment before transport to site.

The homes were designed for the conditions they would face in Far North Queensland, with features responding to heat, humidity, heavy rainfall and potential flooding.

Oly Homes managed the project from demolition and design through to manufacture, transport, installation, site works and commissioning, providing an integrated delivery solution for a complex remote project.

Delivering to Cape York

Once completed in Yandina, the homes were separated into transportable modules and began the journey north to RAAF Base Scherger.

• 2,350 km from the Sunshine Coast to Cape York
• 9 semi-trailers carrying the modular sections
• 5 days on the road to RAAF Base Scherger

By completing a significant proportion of construction offsite, the project reduced the amount of work required in the remote location and helped limit exposure to weather, labour availability and onsite construction delays.

Outcome

Three new permanent homes were successfully delivered to RAAF Base Scherger for Australian Defence Force members and their families.

The project was also Defence Housing Australia’s first trial of modular housing for Defence accommodation in Queensland, demonstrating the potential of modern methods of construction to support housing delivery in challenging locations.

What We Delivered

• Three permanent modular homes
• Demolition of the existing dwelling
• Design and construction documentation
• Climate-responsive design for Far North Queensland
• Factory manufacture in Yandina
• Transport approximately 2,350 km to Cape York
• Installation and onsite completion
• Associated site works and service coordination
• Commissioning and handover