Wests NEX – Underground Carpark Access Ramp

The Challenge

The expansion of the Wests NEX precinct required a new access ramp to its underground carpark, made necessary by the adjacent ERA Newcastle development by GWH. The project was marked by:

• Severely restricted access in a high-traffic, live-use urban site
• Need to integrate the solution with surrounding structures
• Complex ground conditions requiring adaptive engineering

“This was a tightly choreographed delivery — IFS were on the ground with us the whole way, solving challenges before they became problems.” — Site Foreman, Graph Building

The IFS Solution

IFS worked in close collaboration with EJE Architects, Graph Building, Milleen Group’s Construction Division, and other stakeholders to design and deliver a fully coordinated substructure package.

Our solution featured:

• A contiguous pile wall with capping beam to support vertical excavation
• Sheet piling in areas requiring temporary retention and access facilitation
• Driven timber piles to handle lighter structural zones
• Screw piles for confined working areas and collapsing soils

IFS developed a tailored install sequence to:

• Maintain safe, ongoing access to NEX and nearby work zones
• Interface seamlessly with structural and architectural components
• Align with the broader staging of the surrounding GWH development

The Outcome

The ramp structure was delivered with zero disruption to NEX operations, on schedule, and fully integrated with the evolving Newcastle West precinct. The result is a clean, functional accessway that meets modern infrastructure demands while respecting a complex site.