A driving force at former Holden plant

A $500 million business park is being developed on the former manufacturing site of General Motors Holden in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong. The development will include a hardware outlet as well as a three-storey office building and a number of retail and manufacturing spaces.

To install 400 metres of gas pipeline placed 750mm deep, R W Gill Plumbing hired a 1.5 tonne mini excavator from Kennards Hire Dandenong.

“The excavator was used to dig out the trenches, accurate direction changes and corners of the pipeline as well as clean-up of the site,” explained Michael Hartnett, Project Manager at R W Gill Plumbing.

“A High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe is then placed in the trench. Each length is joined by a welding sleeve with two lugs that house terminals that connect to a 39.5 volt electro-fusion welding machine.”

Michael said the 1.5 tonne mini excavator from Kennards Hire was ideal for the project. “It’s a lightweight yet powerful machine that easily manoeuvred around the site. The simplicity in operation allows someone with limited experience in this machine to master it quickly.”

Established by Bob Gill in 1961 and now managed by his son Brad, family owned business R W Gill Plumbing specialise in plumbing works for a number of large commercial property management and development firms. The scope of works incorporates the installation, maintenance and renewal of water and gas pipelines.

R W Gill Plumbing have used a range of equipment, in particular excavators, from Kennards Hire on numerous project sites when completing maintenance and repair works to pipelines.

“With the nature of our business we can be working anywhere in Melbourne, from Geelong to Mornington,” Michael said. “The benefit of dealing with Kennards Hire is there’s always a branch nearby where we can get equipment or have it delivered at short notice.

“No matter which branch we’re dealing with, we always receive great customer service and advice and that means a lot to us,” Michael added. 

Well suited to trenching, footings, landscaping projects and pool excavations the 1.5 tonne mini excavator from Kennards Hire is a highly versatile machine. Equipped with a backfill blade and featuring a full 360 degree slew it is capable of completing works close to walls.

The compact unit is able to fit through most gates and down side paths to access areas with limited space. It is also available with rubber tracks, which prevent damage when travelling over driveways, paths and landscaped areas.