Perched atop Castle Hill, Portsea Apartments offers 18 luxury dwellings that offer breathtaking views of Townsville’s cityscape and the ocean beyond.
Nearly two decades after our Townsville branch first brought this landmark to life with a fresh coat of paint, we were called upon once again to restore its facade with a comprehensive exterior repaint.
The challenge:
Repainting Portsea Apartments was no ordinary task. The building’s stunning location on sloping, rocky terrain, with inclines exceeding 15 degrees in some areas, made accessing the exterior walls a formidable challenge.
The elevation also demanded meticulous attention to the choice of coatings, ensuring robust protection against salt-laden sea breezes.
The restoration required more than just a fresh coat of paint. Rust treatments, waterproofing, and repairs to building cracks caused by natural movement were essential.
But perhaps the most intricate challenge was navigating the daily access needs of the building’s residents. With just one driveway shared by the 18 apartments and an adjoining building, coordinating the use of vehicles and elevated work platforms became a delicate balancing act.
And with balconies included in the scope of work, maintaining detailed, daily communication with owners, tenants, and holiday-makers was not just important – it was vital to ensuring the project’s success.


Solution:
Our team devised a strategic plan that seamlessly managed driveway traffic, coordinated internal access for balcony work, and implemented a protective coating system built to withstand the building’s harsh environment.
To ensure lasting protection and aesthetic consistency, we applied a Taubmans membrane coating across the entire exterior, chosen for its thickness and flexibility.
We also tackled surface rust on the balcony eaves’ metal purlins – tested by constant ocean breezes – by using a heavy-duty, anti-corrosive two-pack epoxy mastic. The driveway received a thorough refurbishment, including a complete pressure wash to eliminate mould and tyre marks, followed by a fresh round of line marking.
Nearly 800 litres of paint were used throughout the project.
Over half of the project required the use of various elevated work platforms (EWPs).
Our spider lifts, paired with boards to stabilize the uneven, rocky ground, played a crucial role. The quiet operation of the spider lifts made them perfect for use in this residential complex.
For particularly challenging terrain, we brought in a jibbi boom, known for its automatic leveling capability.
While we aimed to minimize scaffolding, it was necessary in certain areas where motorized access was nearly impossible, especially at the rear of the building. To reach the highest fascias, we employed a static-line and harness system.
Given the restricted driveway access, our team maintained regular, direct communication with the building’s occupants, scheduling work hours from 7.30 am to 3.30 pm. We also carefully coordinated a schedule for internal access to the balconies, ensuring minimal disruption to residents.

Results:
A Grant Painters crew of four invested 1200 hours of work over three months to complete the project, which not only rejuvenated the exterior but provided much-need surface protection for the years ahead.
