On behalf of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Land Corporation (“ILC”), Coffey Projects has project managed the construction of this world class facility that will provide Indigenous people with social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits.
Located in the inner-city suburb of Redfern, home to some of Australia’s first Indigenous organisations, the 1.6 hectare centre will deliver benefits to young Indigenous people through the provision of world class facilities and programs that encourage excellence, energy and growth.
The development includes the Eora Campus, a school camp venue that is managed by YMCA, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected not-for-profit organisations, in partnership with NCIE. The campus features accommodation facilities for 113 guests, conference facilities, gymnasium, 25-metre heated swimming pool, indoor sports courts, sports playing field and outdoor adventure ropes course.
The construction phase delivered 35 indigenous jobs during the life of the project.
Tony Carroll, project director at Coffey Projects, said: “Our team was thrilled with the opportunity to help the ILC create a space that will bring people together, improving the lives of the Indigenous community and benefiting the greater community in the surrounding area.”
The facility was developed at the old Redfern Primary School site, which comprised heritage buildings that had to be refurbished to become compliant to current standards. “The project incorporated the reuse of buildings listed with the National Trust and one of the challenges we faced was refurbishing old existing structures, providing modern facilities while maintaining the heritage features.”
The Indigenous Land Corporation has previously engaged Coffey Projects to manage the development of a new building on the former Black Theatre site, also in Redfern, from concept to completion. The new building, which also houses Koori Radio, Sydney’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander full-time community radio station, is another design triumph and an important resource for the local Indigenous community.
“Our work began with the preparation of the brief and feasibility studies, management of consultants, tender assessment and tenant liaison, and extended to the management of the contract administration phase and the fitout of the radio station,” explained Tony.
Coffey Projects has undertaken a variety of cultural projects across Australia and New Zealand, including the Civic Theatre restoration in Auckland, the Newcastle Civic Theatre expansion, Te Papa National Museum in Wellington, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, and Federation Square in Melbourne.
Media contacts
Diana Krause, Global Manager External Communication
T: +61 3 9473 1300; M: +61 420 959 942; E: diana_krause@coffey.com
