Tonsley, South Australia, Australia
Completed in 2025 Tonsley Technical College provides Years 10 to 12 students with industry-focused education pathways in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Automotive and Energy, and Building and Construction.
Delivered by SARAH as head contractor, the project included specialist building services packages undertaken by BST Australia (Security Systems) and Watson Fitzgerald & Associates (Mechanical Services). Dewick & Associates was engaged by both contractors to prepare the Security Systems and Mechanical Services Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals, providing structured documentation to support building handover and the long-term management of the facility.
By Alexandra Vuksa
Credit: Image sourced from Anthony Basheer.
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Located within Adelaide’s Tonsley Innovation District, Tonsley Technical College is one of five technical colleges established through the South Australian Government’s $208.8 million investment in vocational education. Co-located with Flinders University’s Factory of the Future, the campus creates a collaborative environment where students, researchers and industry partners work alongside one another in a modern manufacturing and innovation precinct.
The Tonsley Technical College represents South Australia’s first mass timber (CLT and GLT) education building, setting a new benchmark for sustainable construction and innovative learning environments. Delivered for Flinders University and the Department for Education, the facility spans 6,000m² of gross floor area, with a 4,000m² building footprint and integrated fit outs for both clients.
The project was delivered by SARAH as head contractor, with Dewick & Associates engaged to support specialist subcontractors BST Australia and Watson Fitzgerald & Associates to produce the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals for the Security Systems and Mechanical Services packages.
BST Australia is a specialist provider of integrated electronic security solutions, delivering security, access control, CCTV, intercom and monitoring systems across education, healthcare, government, commercial and critical infrastructure projects. Their expertise in designing and commissioning complex electronic security systems ensures facilities are equipped with reliable solutions that protect people, assets and building operations.
Watson Fitzgerald & Associates is a South Australian mechanical services contractor with extensive experience delivering HVAC and mechanical building services across commercial, education, healthcare and government sectors. Their expertise spans complex heating, ventilation, air conditioning, ventilation controls and Building Management System (BMS) installations, with a strong focus on quality, energy efficiency and long-term building performance.
Together, the two contractors delivered critical building services that support the safe, secure and efficient operation of the Tonsley Technical College precinct. Dewick & Associates worked closely with both organisations to develop structured, technically accurate documentation that supports ongoing facilities management, asset maintenance and operational readiness following practical completion.
As South Australia’s first mass timber (CLT and GLT) education building, Tonsley Technical College presented unique documentation requirements that extended beyond traditional building handover. Designed to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating and WELL Core Silver Certification, the project incorporated high-performance mechanical systems, sustainable construction materials and building technologies intended to support long-term environmental performance and occupant wellbeing.
The facility was required to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), relevant Australian Standards, South Australian Department for Education Education Facilities Design Standards, and Work Health and Safety legislation. The Department’s standards require new education facilities to demonstrate improved energy performance beyond NCC minimum requirements, target Green Star outcomes and provide operational information that supports ongoing building performance and asset management.
Mechanical systems, Building Management System (BMS) integration and electronic security infrastructure all required accurate operational documentation to ensure the facility could continue to operate as designed throughout its lifecycle. With multiple specialist contractors contributing to the project, the challenge was coordinating technical information across disciplines while ensuring facilities managers received practical documentation that supported preventative maintenance, system optimisation, warranty obligations and long-term sustainability outcomes.
Dewick & Associates worked closely with BST Australia, Watson Fitzgerald and the broader project team to produce comprehensive Operations and Maintenance Manuals for the Security Systems and Mechanical Services packages. Our Client Coordinators and technical authors managed the collection, verification and organisation of technical information, ensuring the documentation accurately reflected the installed systems and complied with applicable project requirements.
Security Systems O&M Manual
The Security Systems O&M Manual provided comprehensive documentation for the security infrastructure including:
Providing facilities managers with structured documentation supports reliable system performance, security integrity and ongoing maintenance throughout the building’s operational life.
Mechanical Services O&M Manual
Dewick & Associates also authored the Mechanical Services O&M Manual covering the extensive HVAC installation across the education precinct, including:
Comprehensive mechanical documentation is particularly important for high-performance buildings targeting Green Star and WELL outcomes, as it enables facilities teams to maintain HVAC performance, indoor air quality, energy efficiency and occupant comfort in accordance with the building’s original design intent.
Through structured technical authoring and quality assurance, Dewick & Associates delivered documentation that supported the transition from construction completion to ongoing facilities management while providing a reliable operational resource for building owners and maintenance teams.
structured, compliant documentation to support the long-term management of the Tonsley Technical College precinct.
By consolidating complex mechanical and security system information into coordinated manuals, the documentation supports preventative maintenance, asset management and informed decision-making throughout the operational life of the facilities.
The completed manuals provide facilities managers with accessible technical information, maintenance procedures and operational guidance that supports efficient building handover, protects critical building assets and assists in maintaining safe, reliable learning environments for students, educators and industry partners.
The content in this case study has been informed by project documentation and client communication provided to Dewick & Associates during and following the completion of the project. Where external sources have contributed to our understanding of relevant standards or industry practice, these are listed below.
Image sourced from Anthony Basheer.
Note: Some content in this case study draws on a combination of sources rather than direct quotation. Where this is the case, contributing sources are acknowledged above rather than cited inline.
Technical authoring of O&M Manuals enabling efficient plant operation and effective maintenance for equipment longevity, including:
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