From emergency cold storage for a crematorium in regional Victoria to comfort cooling for industrial maintenance crews in the South Australian outback, Coates has recently delivered a series of bespoke temporary climate control solutions across diverse and demanding environments.
Each project presented unique challenges – from limited space and existing infrastructure constraints to extreme temperatures – and required engineered solutions that maintained operational continuity while meeting precise thermal requirements.
Emergency cooling solution for regional crematorium
Faced with an urgent need for cold storage, a crematorium in regional Victoria approached Coates with a challenge: transform an existing room into a functional cool room – quickly, discreetly and without disrupting day-to-day operations.
“Space was a major constraint – they needed a solution that was compact and inconspicuous,” says Josh Tarrant, Power & HVAC Solutions Specialist at Coates. “They’d considered refrigerated shipping containers but simply didn’t have the room.”
Coates designed, installed and commissioned a tailored solution that was operational within a week. The setup included two 20kW air handling units, a 50kW chiller, 60kVA generator, extension leads and cable management, with glycol-mixed water to achieve a 0°C LWT.
“We delivered a temporary cooling system that integrated into the existing building structure, with minimal interruption to their existing business,” says Josh. “It’s a robust setup that can remain in situ for several months if needed, giving the customer flexibility and peace of mind.”
Bridging the cooling gap for vintage wine
When a major wine producer in South Australia's Riverlands faced vintage season with only partial cooling capacity, Coates stepped in with a tailored temporary solution.
“With just 80% of their existing chiller system operational and no capital available for immediate repairs, the winery needed a bridging solution to manage the heat generated during grape crushing and fermentation,” says Josh.
Coates designed, installed and commissioned an 800kW chiller system integrated into the winery’s existing infrastructure. The setup included a pump, approximately 100 metres of Camlock hoses and cable, all connected to the site’s glycol storage tank to deliver a -3°C LWT. The system was deployed for eight weeks, covering the critical vintage period from January to March.
“The customer was really pleased with the performance and service, expressing interest in rehiring the system for future vintages,” says Josh. “This project highlights how flexible HVAC solutions can support seasonal production demands while bridging gaps in permanent infrastructure.”
Comfort cooling for mine shutdown maintenance
During a planned eight-week shutdown at BHP’s Olympic Dam site, Coates was engaged to deliver a comfort cooling solution for maintenance workers inside two acid storage tanks, each with a capacity of 990,000 litres.
With ambient temperatures reaching 42°C, the challenge was to create a safe environment for crews operating in confined spaces while wearing full protective PPE and breathing apparatus.
Coates designed, installed and commissioned a tank cooling system comprising an 800kW chiller, two 300kW air handling units, a 500kVA generator, hose and supporting cable.
When the program of works changed mid-project, the equipment location had to change. Coates reacted quickly to provide additional equipment, ensuring the project stayed on track.
“The change in location meant we needed another 150 metres of hose, which is no small ask,” says Josh. “Having a Coates branch on site at Olympic Dam with a dedicated laydown yard and workshop meant we were able to respond quickly to the last-minute change in scope.”
This was the first time BHP had engaged Coates for this type of work at Olympic Dam, and the successful delivery has paved the way for future involvement in annual maintenance cycles across the site’s acid storage tanks.
“Cooling the tanks made it safer and more manageable for crews working in hot summer conditions,” says Josh. “Instead of rotating teams constantly, the same crew could work longer, which improved both safety and efficiency.”
Delivering dependable cooling for diverse industries
These projects highlight the growing demand for agile, site-specific cooling solutions across a wide range of industries.
With a national branch network, deep technical expertise and a proven ability to rapidly design and deploy bespoke systems, Coates continues to set the standard for temporary HVAC solutions in Australia’s most demanding environments.
For more information, visit coates.com.au/specialist-solutions/power-hvac