The AFP required an inobtrusive yet large space to facilitate officer training activities. In 2019, a 30 year lease was signed with Charter Hall on an unused industrial shed in Pinkenba. Project Cycad was established in 2020 to develop the Pinkenba AFP Operational Safety and Training Centre (OSTC) into a ‘fit for purpose’ training facility equipped to deliver operational safety assessment and training programs to support Northern Command (NC) regionally based AFP appointees.
There are 3 stages to the project:
Johnstaff were engaged in 2021 as the Project Manger/Contract Administrator (PMCA) in delivering the OSTC. Johnstaff initially sourced the project design team capable of developing the design in line with the established brief and AFP security requirements. This brief & initialdesign were used for Quantity Surveyor costings to support Stage 1 approvals. The Stage 1 works identified the existing site conditions, development staging and priority works which informed the Stage 2 scope.
Johnstaff’s role as PMCA in Stage 2 required detailed design review including on site investigation, stakeholder engagement ensuring the design addressed requirements of all end users, extensive value management and procurement of a builder in accordance with Commonwealth Procurement Rules. Johnstaff will oversee & manage the Construction Manager throughout the works, including coordination of inspections, certifications & handover processes.
The existing base building has been identified as having extreme slab settlement issues resulting in an undulating floor level. Creative floor levelling solutions were investigated, resulting in alight weight raised floor system that was more cost efficient than traditional methods.
Project “Paused”
A combination of scope changes, design development, market conditions and subcontractor demandled to project pricing growth beyond the funding envelope.
An initial round of value management was undertaken with Johnstaff recommendations ensuring that clients budgets were achieved without sacrificing end user requirements.
Upon procurement of the Construction Manager (Builder) and engagement with Subcontractors, further price escalation was realised. Johnstaff led the design team and Construction Managers to refine the costs through design rationalisation and utilising Johnstaff's network of connections in the industry.
Due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders within the client’s user groups, design issues were encountered with alternate outcomes required by different stakeholders. Through high levels of communication and engagement,Johnstaff were able to coordinate the design team to find value for money outcomes.
Upon recognition of severe labour constraints within the QLD construction market, Johnstaff submitted a recommendation for client approval to proceed with an early works package. This approval mitigated significant risks, including price, programme, and external factors.
