"As a south coast local I have enjoyed watching the area develop & grow under the guidance of Wollongong City Council. Even with all the changes it still feels like one of the best places to live in Australia, that's why I call it home"
"To have ENCAT involved in The Blue Mile master plan was a privilege. The Ted Tobin OAM Observation Deck still looks spectacular today, even though our baludstrading was installed more than 10 years ago"
ENCAT was contracted to manufacture our outdoor industrial balustrading system on the Ted Tobin OAM Observation Deck on Wollongong City Beach. The foreshore upgrade was part of The Blue Mile master plan being implemented by Wollongong City Council. The implementation of the plan commenced in 2003 where the City Beach front was completely transformed. The old surf club was demolished and relocated to its current position. Works also included a new viewing deck, substantial tree planting, new interpretive art work installations, outdoor seating, outdoor beach showers, picnic facilities, and the construction of shared pathways connecting the WEC to Flagstaff Hill.
The scope of our work included the engineering and design work required to manufacture our modular balustrade system so that it could be installed on the new timber decking viewing platform.
The city foreshore precinct was under pressure from changing lifestyles and escalating patterns of use. These included increases in traffic volume, visitation by locals and tourists alike, employment in and around the city centre and population density within and surrounding the precinct. Demand had outgrown the ability of existing infrastructure to provide the leisure and recreational amenities expected of a vibrant regional city. So the embellishment of the city foreshore area has been able to address this.
Bringing design ideas to life
One of the prime visitor drawcards to the city foreshore is the grouping of major entertainment
facilities on the original site of the Wollongong Showground – the Wollongong Entertainment Centre (WEC) and the WIN Stadium.
Major work was approved to create a ‘link’ between the foreshore pedestrian/ cycle shared way and the upgraded southern gateway to the foreshore area. The Quilkey Place reserve has been redesigned and reconstructed as a formal car park, and the Andrew Lysaght Rest Park has been created on the site of the Catholic cemetery adjacent to the Wollongong Entertainment Centre. The terminus of Crown Street at the beach offers an unparalleled opportunity to physically link the CBD street axis with the sea as part of the long term plans for the southern edge of Lang Park. (See the Blue Mile Vision and Master Plan here)
The design created by the architect was to build an observation deck that complemented the adjacent pathway to give pedestrians a view across the beach and coastal area. To keep pedestrians safe Wollongong City Council required industrial-strength balustrading that could deal with harsh coastal conditions including sun and salt.
The ENCAT engineering team set about adapting our Ocean Wave modular balustrade system to match the existing conditions of the timber observation deck. Using our 3D design tools we were able to ensure every gradient and curve would be considered to create a flowing balustrade with soft, curved, lines.
This design would also be manufactured in our factory in NSW so that we could have tight quality controls in place during the project.
Why was Ocean Wave balustrading used?
Our Ocean Wave modular balustrade system is manufactured in Australia at our factory in New South Wales. Our products are made from high quality steel and are made in accordance with Australian Standards. Moreover, the steel, hot dipped galvanized and three coats of epoxy paint treatment is still in use, more than ten years after its installation, so it can handle the tough conditions in our climate.
Our balustrade systems are custom made to suit any existing conditions including gradients, curves or height differences. Everything is measured & designed using our civil engineering team.
Precise 3D design engineering and modelling is provided after a site survey is completed, this ensures every aspect will suit the application.
Custom made commercial, industrial and civil use balustrades
ENCAT can design, manufacture and supply custom made balustrades that are used in commercial, industrial and civil use applications. Our products are used by councils, schools and shopping centres.
