• The ground conditions are extremely tricky in the San Remo area. Deep perched water tables, loose clay and mud-fill required stiff, deep footings and extensive water management control. Our understanding of the region’s local environment helped us avoid serious delays. We proposed alternative footings in place of a piling design, which expedited the program. Leveraging this expertise, we also developed a detailed soil management plan during the tender phase.
• Beyond the challenges of COVID-19, we recognised that our approach to the ground conditions and severe weather would be critical. To minimise potential delays during early works and authority upgrades, we divided into multiple teams to work concurrently across stages, accelerating progress.
• We liaised with authorities during the design phase, which benefited the project. Our existing relationships with Council and authorities, allowed us to speed up approval procedures.
• We added extra contract administration resources during trade letting to de-risk cost escalation. Due to the strain of the pandemic, vetting and contract control was crucial to the successful delivery of the project.
• When letting the core trades, we worked through program milestones with input from our subcontractors, which helped us produce a realistic and targeted program. Our method expedited trade letting and reduced the risk of material shortages because we placed orders sooner.

• The Bass Coast Shire region receives 35% more rainfall than Melbourne, and we drew on our previous experience to account for this in our planning. Whilst we still finished on time, scheduling our external works even earlier would have avoided delays and alleviated pressure from the team.
• We relocated the 66kV overhead powerlines, communications, and fire services infrastructure to a newly created easement, constructing a 13-metre-wide crushed rock haul road for the high-voltage line relocation. We also installed a new fire booster assembly and NBN connection point. Due to restrictions from the water authority, we couldn't relocate the existing water main supplying all of Phillip Island, so we redesigned the car park, hard courts, and part of the football field to ensure adequate cover and compliance with road levels at the front of the site.

COVID-19

• During our program, the supply chain was severely disrupted, posing significant potential delays. We steered collaborative workshops with our client and design team to incorporate locally sourced alternatives where required and keep work progressing. For example, we re-designed the structures to use steel instead of timber.
• Regional border permits were required to cross into South Gippsland region from Metro Melbourne. We engaged local subcontractors where possible to limit issues with lockouts.
• We implemented a comprehensive COVID-19 Management Plan that included strict check-in policies, reporting protocols, and sanitation requirements. Rather than deterring subcontractors like we had initially planned for, our stringent procedures attracted more engagement than competitor projects because of our commitment to safety.

• Despite an extremely challenging period for the construction industry, the new school opened on time in Term 1, 2022.
• The new campus allowed the College to increase their enrolments by 500 students, offering quality learning experience closer to home.
• We not only met but exceeded our Local Industry Development Plan (LIDP) targets, creating a positive social impact in the community. Our workforce also included 19 apprentices.
• For the 44 trees removed from the east corner boundary lines, we planted two mature trees in their place, revising the landscape design to accommodate this.
• We installed rainwater tanks to most of the buildings, which feed the toilets, facilitating water recycling. The Innovation building also features social panels.
• Our exceptional management of this contract received national recognition at the Australian Institute of Building awards.