IGNITING FACILITIES FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

The old Whalan High School site in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney, has been repurposed to become the Western Sydney Aboriginal Centre of Excellence, with the centre being a focal point for various members of the Aboriginal community.

The project is a community partnership designed to value and celebrate Aboriginal identity and excellence.

The project scope of works for the contractor involved design finalisation and construction, and conversion of the existing space into the new Aboriginal Centre of Excellence. The intent is that this project is a community partnership and the new Centre will become a hub for young Indigenous Australians to harness their aspirations and talents.

The development of the new Aboriginal Centre of Excellence comprises the following components:

The construction involved the coordination and design of items for all services, shop detailing for all engineering and included all architectural design disciplines. This included interpreting and advancing plans, completing the concept design for all project elements.

• The structural demolition of portions of the two buildings to facilitate the buildings modifications within the Whalan High School campus

• Removal and replacement of the existing roof and roof purlins

• Construction of a new lift shaft and entryway

• Construction of a new covered walkway and veranda

• New set-out of internal wall and ceilings to suit the repurposed facility

• Installation of new engineering services including electrical, mechanical, fire and hydraulics