As works continue to remove the level crossings at McDonald Street in Mordialloc and Station Street in Aspendale this year, the construction team is finding new and creative ways to save energy on site – enter the Purple CUBE.
Generators on work sites are typically loud, often inefficient, and run on diesel. The sustainability team at Mordialloc was determined to find a more environmentally-friendly option, and came across an Indigenous-owned business specialising in renewable energy products.
Djookian is a female-owned Indigenous business created by former AFLW players, Kirby Bentley and Leah Kaslar. The name Djookian translates to ‘sisters’ and refers to women supporting each other by providing training and employment opportunities in the construction sector.
The Mordialloc team met with Kirby and Leah, who recommended the Purple CUBE hybrid generator, which is not only quieter than diesel generators but is also solar capable and has 800 kilowatt hours of energy storage reducing carbon emissions by up to 70%.
The Purple CUBE has been on site at Mordialloc since November, and the team is already reaping the benefits, with an 83% reduction in diesel consumption and emissions, reduced engine hours and overall cost savings to the project.
The Purple CUBE will continue to power the site over the coming months as crews continue building the new Mordialloc rail bridge and new elevated Mordialloc Station.
Both the McDonald Street and Station Street level crossings will be gone for good and the new Mordialloc Station open in 2026, bringing the Frankston Line one step closer to being level crossing free in 2029, boosting safety and easing congestion on local roads.
