Western Power has undertaken a state-wide Regional Depot Modernisation Program, in addition to developing its new southern metropolitan depot at Forrestdale.

At Pinjarra, SPH were responsible for all project phases from conception to construction and delivery. This included coordinating numerous stakeholder groups and undertaking extensive site masterplanning to integrate the complex logistics and safety requirements within the constraints of the 3-hectare site.

The project aimed to:

• Modernise the existing 50-year-old depot;
• Provide better service to the Great Southern and Mandurah Regions;
• Maximise safety where heavy and light vehicles interact with pedestrians;
• Centralise operations from multiple sites;
• Upgrade security to assist in managing the electricity network;
• Streamline maintenance by installing a remote Facilities Management platform; and
• create a desirable workplace in line with the company’s head office at Forrestdale, to attract and retain the best talent.

During the brief optimisation stage, SPH considered multiple options to identify the best operational workflows and address all of the clients’ needs. As a result, it became apparent that the total site area needed to be increased, and that the intended Pinjarra site wasn’t suitable, so a new location was identified.

As part of this brief optimisation process, we designed a series of detailed plans to map all pedestrian and vehicle movements to prioritise safety across the site. And we upgraded existing security infrastructure design to enable automated detection and remote monitoring of the premises and site perimeter.

The Depot now comprises Office and Administration spaces, Logistics, Workshops and Fleet Parking areas. It features a vibrant façade – an abstraction of the Western Power logo, made from colour-graded battens, that also shade to the interiors. This treatment provides a welcoming appearance and makes the Depot instantly recognisable to the local community.

Following the successful completion of the Pinjarra Depot project, SPH subsequently completed Western Power’s new $18.2 million Albany depot (Wagyl Kaip Southern Region).

The Albany Depot project was particularly challenging owing to the presence of clay-based soils; an existing high-pressure gas main; limited electrical and sewer infrastructure; steep topography and adjacent functions that constrained the design.

To overcome these challenges, SPH delivered a staged design response that allowed the client program to be met while upgrading infrastructure and transitioning the existing client user groups into the new facility.

By approaching these Regional Depot Modernisation projects in a hybrid manner – using standardised elements that can be easily replicated across multiple sites, and unique responses to each location’s particular characteristics – we’ve enabled Western Power to deliver cost-effective outcomes and high-quality facilities for their regional workforce.