Higgins were engaged to carry out a full internal and external repaint of this iconic Church, while taking care to protect its various precious heritage features. To commence, all pews and floor coverings were removed and placed into safe storage. Two timber ramps were constructed at each entrance to allow the specialised tracked access boom lifts entry, which were required in order to reach the almost 20m high ornate ceilings.
Rubber matting and ply boards were used to protect the vast marble altar and pulpit. The heritage organ and other highly delicate areas were fully encapsulated in plastic sheeting whilst preparation and painting works took place. Intricate gold leaf fretwork was painted out using a specialised primer for a finish that exceeded all expectations. Higgins has again showed our ability to successfully co-ordinate with other trades, in this case those doing the specialised internal and external waterproofing works.
The external painting proved almost as challenging as the internal works. A 135ft boom lift was required to access the church bell spire that sits almost 40m above Punt Rd, one of Melbourne’s major arterial roads.