Aflex delivers for Melbourne's hyperscale data centre

Australia’s data centre sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing and the increasing demand for secure, high-performance digital infrastructure. With more than $26 billion in forecast investment by 2030 to support AI infrastructure and economic growth, data centres represent one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding markets in the country.

Contributing a critical piece of infrastructure to this transformation, ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator Aflex designed, manufactured and supplied stainless steel expansion joints for a major hyperscale data centre in Melbourne. While compact in scale compared to the

Set against the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Sydney’s eastern coastline, the Clifftop Walkway at Vaucluse is a striking example of how stainless steel can elevate infrastructure in harsh environments. Delivered for Waverly Council by Head Contractor Land & Marine – Ocean Engineering across the Diamond Bay and Eastern Reserves, the expansive boardwalk stretches more than a kilometre along the coastline, providing safer access, improved connectivity and uninterrupted ocean views.

Behind its refined architectural presence is the extensive use of stainless steel, delivered by ASSDA Members Frontier Assembly and Elite Metal Fabrication, who together fabricated and assisted in installing approximately

Stainless steel solutions for long-term water performance

Critical wastewater infrastructure at the Alfred Street Pumping Station in Slacks Creek, Queensland, has been future-proofed through the design and manufacture of two custom stainless steel penstocks – the heavy duty gates that control water flow through a pumping station – by ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator Australian Water Engineers (AWE).

Engaged by Logan Water Alliance as part of Logan Water’s Wastewater Pipeline and Maintenance Hole Renewal Program, AWE was tasked with replacing outdated, non-functional penstocks essential to the isolation and control of inflow to the pumping station. The project forms part

Delivering resilient water treatment with stainless steel

Stainless steel is fast becoming the material of choice across new and upgraded water infrastructure projects in Australia, valued for its durability, corrosion resistance, and long-term sustainability. This shift was on full display in the Gisborne Recycled Water Plant Upgrade in Victoria, where ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator, Total Piping & Mechanical (TPM), delivered expertise that strengthened best practice for stainless steel use in recycled water treatment facilities.

Installed in September 2024, the stainless steel pipework forms a key component of Greater Western Water’s wider upgrade of the Gisborne Recycled Water Plant.

Redefining sustainable infrastructure

On 28 March 2024, the newly constructed Narre Warren Station officially opened on Melbourne’s Pakenham Line, removing a notorious and congested rail-road crossing and delivering a safer, modern public transport hub. Beyond the construction achievement, the project marks a milestone in material efficiency and sustainable design through the innovative use of stainless steel.
 

A materials breakthrough

The original ceiling design called for 30 tonnes of 800mm carbon steel deep beams – considerable welded elements that would have been heavy and disruptive to install. The beams were intended to support the ceiling spanning between the tracks above

Collaboration and the ASSDA Young Professionals Network drive a premium outcome

Sydney's Alfred Street Pedestrian Bridge is a striking landmark for Parramatta, providing residents with a safe all-abilities active transport link between the northern suburbs and the Parramatta CBD. The $19 million project, co-funded by the City of Parramatta and the NSW Government, forms a key element of the Parramatta River revitalisation program.

Bridges are the lifeblood of communities, designed to connect people, reduce transport costs and emissions, and encourage a healthier lifestyle. For the Alfred Street Bridge, design principles focused on accessibility, safety, elegance, and longevity. The final result

Urban arbours transform Melbourne's tram stops

A visionary streetscape initiative is redefining public transport environments in Melbourne, fusing green infrastructure with the long-term performance benefits of stainless steel. Six new 'Urban Arbours' have been installed across central tram stops in a pilot project set to deliver cooler, cleaner, and greener city spaces.

 
Delivered through collaboration and stainless steel expertise

ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator Aflex has played a pivotal role in supporting the seismic resilience of one of New Zealand’s most important cultural infrastructure projects – the new Archives New Zealand building in Wellington.

 
Engaged by Motion NZ, Aflex was tasked with designing and delivering seismic bellows assemblies for the 10-storey archival facility at the corner of Aitken and Mulgrave Streets. Built to preserve more than 12 million irreplaceable documents and cultural taonga, the new building sits on a major fault line, necessitating an innovative approach to seismic protection.

Engineering a stainless steel solution

With space constraints for

ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator Leviat delivered critical expertise to realise the sculptural and award-winning design of the Phoenix Central Park Gallery in Chippendale, Sydney. A fusion of architecture and art, the private gallery of philanthropist Judith Neilson pushes structural boundaries with a façade that dimples, twists and curls in three dimensions. Behind this visually striking brickwork lies a bespoke stainless steel support system, engineered and manufactured by Leviat.

 
The result of a rare architectural collaboration between John Wardle Architects and Durbach Block Jaggers, and delivered by FDC Construction with brickwork specialist Favetti, the project demanded advanced technical solutions

ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator, B&R Enclosures, delivered a custom stainless steel solution for a striking public art installation that transformed the western façade of the Central Club Hotel in North Melbourne. Commissioned by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), the project highlights the versatility, durability and aesthetic appeal of stainless steel in creating unique and functional architectural designs.
 

A vision in digital windows

Designed by Melbourne studio RAMUS, the artwork titled Silhouettes, consists of 10 low-resolution LED screens housed in custom-made stainless steel window boxes. These ‘digital windows’ intermittently illuminate the façade with scenes of

At the ingress of Victoria’s Port Philip Bay stands the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal – a beacon of architectural prowess and stainless steel ingenuity. Opened in April 2023 after a decade-long collaboration between visionary architects and dedicated clients, this world-class structure epitomises the marriage of functionality and aesthetic allure.

Linking Queenscliff to Sorrento and beyond, the terminal serves as a gateway to the scenic wonders of Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, and the iconic Great Ocean Road. As the bustling hub for Searoad Ferries’ car and passenger services, it orchestrates over 8,200 crossings annually, welcoming more than 960,000 passengers.

Designed by F2

Located in Pilbara of Western Australia, Gudai-Darri is Rio Tinto’s first Greenfield mine in the region in more than a decade. Stretching across both Banjima and Yindjibarndi country, both Traditional Owners were engaged through the planning and development stages in Rio Tinto’s most technologically advanced iron ore mine yet. Gudai-Darri features the world’s first autonomous water carts, trucks, drills, and trains, as well as a robotic ore sampling laboratory and solar farm. Gudai-Darri has a 40-year mine life and will support thousands of jobs moving into the future.
 

THE CHALLENGE

Rio Tinto faced the challenge of providing a sustainable

ASSDA Member Stainless Steel Wire & Mesh has played a pivotal role in delivering a stainless steel coastal fencing solution that has now become the gold standard in ecological management and restoration efforts.

Situated in the Northern Beaches of New South Wales, Curl Curl Beach faces the full force of several coastal conditions, enduring relentless assaults from strong winds, salt movements, extreme temperatures, pollution, and high humidity. This region is classified as a corrosive category C5, however, the location which is adjacent to the beach has been classified as CX under AS 4312:2019 Atmospheric Corrosive Zones, Figure 2.1 (Newcastle region)

A FISH-FRIENDLY WATER EXTRACTION FACILITY  

For the past six years, ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator AWMA Water Control Solutions have been a proud partner of Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) in delivering one of the world's largest fish-friendly water extraction facilities using stainless steel.

The Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) plays a crucial role in extracting water from the Rangitata River in New Zealand's South Island, serving irrigation, stock water, and hydropower generation needs year-round. However, the environmental impact on native fish populations was a concern for RDRML.

To address this challenge, AWMA was awarded the design and construct

For years, the plumbing industry has been dominated by materials such as galvanised mild steel, copper, and plastic. However stainless steel is quickly emerging as a standard construction material in various water supply applications.

Stainless steel offers a multitude of benefits, including corrosion resistance, hygienic properties, strength, long-term performance, excellent hydraulic conductivity, and the ability to withstand high pressure and temperature requirements. It has found its place in diverse applications, from desalination plants and reverse osmosis water treatment systems to water supply for high-rise buildings and domestic tapware. Stainless steel provides a safe and sustainable solution throughout the entire lifespan

Stainless steel has contributed to one of Western Australia's architectural masterpieces overlooking the Murchison River Gorge.

Kalbarri National Park is located approximately 550km north of Perth in Western Australia (WA) and is dubbed as one of the state's best scenic nature destinations. Delivering a major tourism boost for the Mid-West region, the WA State Government with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions opened the highly anticipated Kalbarri Skywalk in June 2020.

The skywalk allows visitors to immerse themselves in breathtaking views of Murchison River Gorge and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Two cantilevered viewing platforms 'float' mid-air

Street furniture defines a city's urban landscape, and stainless steel is becoming a material of choice for its long-term cost benefits in addition to its sleek designs, durability, and visual appeal.

In Australia, the City of Melbourne has led the way in sustainable materials selection, undertaking a life cycle costing comparison study over a 25-year term between carbon steel and stainless steel for use in its public street furniture.

The products studied and manufactured included 1200 general waste bins, 500 recycling bins, 800 seats, 400 benches and 80 drinking fountains. Two broad costing components were considered:

1. The initial (procurement) cost

ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator Arcus Wire Group has delivered an innovative duplex stainless steel wire rope cable solution for a hydropower project in the Middle East.

The 344MW Kokhav Hayarden pumped storage hydropower plant is located 120km northeast of Tel Aviv. The project is the first and largest of its kind in Israel, as well as the lowest of its kind globally. The powerhouse lies 275m below sea level and features two 3.1 million m³ reservoirs at different heights. Expected to be operational in early 2023, the hydropower station is designed to provide flexible backup power and stability

For almost 30 years ASSDA Member AirEng has delivered customised, state-of-the-art stainless steel airflow solutions for a wide range of local and global industries including agriculture, mining, food and beverage and water treatment. 

AirEng continues to be a leading industrial fan specialist, providing businesses with steadfast solutions, employing leading edge technology, practical design, and robust construction. All AirEng products are proudly designed and manufactured locally in Australia at their production facility in Bayswater, Victoria, spanning over a 3.2-acre site. 

Industrial fans are used for various applications and unique industry needs. They are generally broken down into three different fan types,

Brisbane’s Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade saw Australia’s largest use of stainless steel reinforcement bar to date, transforming the structural performance of one of the city’s busiest roads.  

An initiative of Brisbane City Council and designed and constructed by Lendlease, the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade involved widening the 7km road from four to six lanes between Theodore Street at Eagle Farm and Cooksley Street at Hamilton. This was achieved via a retaining wall built between 10m to 15m out into the Brisbane River. As a major road corridor, Kingsford Smith Drive links the Brisbane CBD to Brisbane Airport, the Port of