A new A$45 million retail development is well underway in Batemans Bay, with the help of local South Coast firm, Bay and Coast Metal Roofing, and BlueScope Lysaght. Due for completion in October 2004, the development is expected to bring a new dimension and vibrance to the town centre of Batemans Bay.

The complex is intended to complement the existing streetscape, combining quality lifestyle components with fresh food, cafes and ample undercover parking, all encapsulated in an aesthetically pleasing, flowing design.

Developed by Stockland, the 30,000 square metre retail centre will contain a Coles, K-Mart, and Aldi, as well as 53 specialty shops, offices, and parking.

Bay & Coast Metal Roofing is supplying and installing all roofing, cladding, and rainwater systems for the retail complex. 25,000 square metres of LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® in Shale Grey™ COLORBOND® steel is being used to roof the facility.

In addition, approximately 5,000 square metres of LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB®, and 500 square metres of LYSAGHT MINI ORB® will be installed. The facade of the building is a mixture of brick interspersed with LYSAGHT MINI ORB®.

A high performance profile, LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® enables long spans, and extremely long runs. The wider sheets also make installation quicker, especially on bigger jobs. And with no exposed fasteners, the sheets provide a clean, smooth finish to the roof.

Ten tonnes of LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® roofing, in lengths of up to 35 metres, was delivered to the retail development on BlueScope Steel's innovative new trailer. The trailer's intelligent design allows it to extend from 14.8 metres to 40 metres, and features a rear steer mechanism for optimum manoeuvrability.

Neil Smith, Managing Director of Bay & Coast Metal Roofing, appreciated the advantages of being able to order product in 35 metre lengths, eliminating the need for inconvenient and unattractive joins and seams in walls and roofs, and costly stepping.

"We are using lengths of LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® from three metres to 35 metres long. The 35 metre lengths are a definite benefit on a job like this. Installation is a lot quicker. It also takes out the need for stepping, which is less time and cost efficient," says Neil.

The 40 metre trailer's rear steer mechanism really proved its worth when the trailer reached the Batemans Bay site. To steer the rear wheels the trailer has a remote control which is just like a TV remote, with 'right' and 'left' buttons.The trailer's escort follows the trailer into the site, using the remote to steer the back wheels. With the rear steer, this 40 metre trailer is easier to operate than a 23 metre trailer without rear steering. It gives customers much more flexibility in regard to site access.

Damon Hair, NSW Operations Manager for Gregory's Transport, accompanied the trailer on it's long journey from Sydney. "The client, Bay & Coast Metal Roofing, was very happy," he says. "Apart from being able to get larger loads delivered in one go, it saved them money in terms of crane hire as well, the trailer was able to get close enough to the building works to enable a smaller crane to be used. It just would have been impossible to get the trailer as near to the building works as we did without the rear steer mechanism."

Neil Smith was impressed by the efficiency of the delivery. "The delivery went really well, it was done very professionally," he says. "With BlueScope Lysaght's 40 metre trailer, we can get up to 10 tonne delivered at a time, much more than a regular trailer. It really does save on delivery costs. We are a large roofing company, we've got 60 jobs going at a time, and cost savings and efficiency are integral to our operations. Getting longer lengths in fewer loads is a big benefit."