RCC awarded Early Works and ECI for Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment

Critical social infrastructure due for completion by late 2025.

Works will soon commence on the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment project – this critical social infrastructure will enhance healthcare services and facilities for the Hunter New England community and beyond.

In partnership with Health Infrastructure and the Hunter New England Health District, RCC will deliver the Early Works and ECI package. Works include a new single level hospital building encompassing an inpatient unit, expanded emergency department and modern birthing and maternity suites.

Additionally, a new main entry and reception will be created through the refurbishment of the former community health entry.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said, “All hospital services will continue to operate onsite during construction, which follows significant planning and design work by the project team, in collaboration with staff, stakeholders and the community.”

An Arts Working Group has been established to ensure the new hospital is a welcoming environment that reflects the heritage and culture of the region.

Main works construction is expected to be completed by late 2025. For more information visit Gunnedah Hospital redevelopment.

Gold Sponsor PIF SleepOut 2023

Raising vital funds for youth homelessness.  

Team RCC will sleep rough for one night at Centennial Park in support of the Property Industry Foundation (PIF)’s  SleepOut. As our second consecutive year as Gold Donor, we are committed to championing this vital initiative which aims to provide housing for the homeless youth 

Grant D’Arcy, General Manager – Sydney and Major Project at Richard Crookes Constructions, emphasised the significance of partnering with organisations in our operational areas. He commented, “By supporting our charity partners, our people have the opportunity to contribute to local communities. Together, we are cultivating a positive shared legacy that fills us with pride.” 

Every night, thousands of young Australians go without a safe and secure place to sleep. All funds raised at SleepOut go towards recent PIF refurbishment projects such as the Jannawi Family Centre, Summer Hill, Girls and Boys Brigade Surry Hills and Redfern’s Jarjum College.  

If you’d like to show your support, please click here to make a tax-deductible donation. All contributions are greatly appreciated. 

Team RCC championing inclusion and equity

Advancing our industry and building a better future for all.

Our people share a common purpose – building a shared legacy. In the leadup to the NAWIC 2023 Awards for Excellence, we want to acknowledge two incredible women nominated in recognition for their impact on both the industry and our community. 

Regional Woman of the Year finalist, Ashley Barnes is a Design Manager who is working hard to champion equity in the construction sector. “I’m responsible for helping ensure the glass ceiling within this space is shattered. If I can do that, my daughters will have the level playing field they – and all women – deserve.” 

Ash’s role as a client-centric Design Manager is focused on delivering cost-efficient, well-considered design solutions that seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment. 

Outside of project delivery, Ashley advocates for importance of workflow innovations in regional communities in her role on three Property Council of Australia boards. She is currently liaising with Minister Crankanthorp to highlight the importance of continued large-scale developments in Newcastle and the wider Hunter New England region, and has secured additional meetings to scope funding. 

Future Leader nominee, Isabella Spinolo is a Senior Project Engineer who is working on long term initiatives to increase female representation in the construction industry. Isabella championed a Student Engagement Program for students of the Mone Sant’ Angelo Mercy College which has been praised by students, the college and industry colleagues. 

Isabella developed a program of content which exposed students to a range of industry leaders from construction, architecture, finance, planning disciplines. Nicole Christensen, Principal at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, praised Isabella’s program, “It has had a transformational impact on our students. I truly believe that Isabella has set our students up to thrive, in our college and throughout their careers.” 

Ashley and Isabella are part of a large cohort of changemakers who proactively create safe and enjoyable places to work. By promoting inclusion and equity, they support the next generation to thrive – and ultimately to advance our industry. 

Restoring heritage at the City Tattersalls Club Redevelopment

Preserving Sydney’s rich design and architectural history.

Sydney’s built environment represents the very best of our past. It also provides a huge opportunity for local communities through restoration and sustainable development.

A loved landmark in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, the City Tattersalls Club’s rich design and 127-year history adds a distinctive identity to the city’s skyline.

In collaboration with Urbis and RJC Group, RCC’s dedicated project team sought pragmatic and creative solutions to balance the use of heritage assets with the need for restoration and preservation. In accordance with the approved Urbis Salvage Plan and Protection Strategy, an array of heritage salvage and protection works were initiated at project commencement.

One such heritage asset is the impressive horse sculpture, known as the rampant horse, which sat atop the former City Tattersalls Club at 202 Pitt Street. Standing an impressive 2500mm tall x 2500mm long x 665mm deep and carved out of sandstone, the original feature has been a strong symbol for the club, given its bookmarking and horse racing roots. Now an important part of their legacy, our team of experts are working to restore the original sculpture and develop a replica.

Removed from the parapet in 2003 due to condition reasons, the rampant horse has since been in storage for 12 years awaiting restoration. Planned repairs include the reconstruction of the missing front leg from the knee joint to the hoof – once complete, a mould will be taken for the replacement statue. While the materiality of the replica has not yet been decided, options include GRC, fibreglass, bronze, brass or copper. Structural investigations of the original sculpture will take place to determine if it can be reinstated as a display within the Club.

Following this, the City Tattersalls Club Redevelopment team will focus on the below highly significant heritage areas;

  • The Low Bar
  • The Corinthian Room
  • The Sydney Room and
  • Billiard / Ballroom

Through the delivery of history-rich social infrastructure such as the City Tattersalls Club, we hope to leverage Sydney’s historic associations while maintaining its unique architectural and design integrity.

UTS students experience a world-class Industrial development

Collaborating to empower the next generation of industry trailblazers.  

What a day! We were lucky to be joined by 70 students from UTS for a site tour of our Woolworths Moorebank Regional Distribution Centre (MoRDC) project. 

Craig Barry, Director at CKB Projects & Consulting Pty Ltd and Lecturer for UTS’ School of Built Environment, shared his feedback on the event, “RCC’s team organised such an engaging presentation and site tour. The students could not believe the scale and complexity of the project and felt incredibly lucky to observe such a feat. RCC’s team were also incredibly generous with their time coordinating access and parking on site so students could safely travel to the site by car. Thank you RCC!” 

This tour gave students the chance to join RCC’s team of multidisciplinary professionals and see theoretical concepts actualised in a real, three-dimensional space. The processes and mechanisms involved in construction are complex – site visits help show how they all come together in the built environment.  

Hai Pham and David Li, Site Engineers, greeted students at the state-of-the-art warehouse facility, before discussing challenges and solutions that engineers and contractors manage onsite. It was a great opportunity for the RCC team to share their knowledge and explain how their expertise can be applied in real life.  

Once complete, the 71,790m2 automated warehouse facility will deliver truck wash and maintenance facilities, MHE and battery charging facilities, a main office, staff canteen, transport office, driver amenities and gate house. 

In addition to this, we will deliver an interconnecting conveyor and pedestrian airbridge connecting MoRDC to the National Woolworths Distribution Centre (MoNDC) – which is being delivered concurrently by RCC’s Industrial division. Once complete both MoRDC and MoNDC will cover an 85,000m2 area, which is equivalent to five SCG ovals! 

We’re proud to collaborate with universities across the nation – working together to support the bright young minds that will, no doubt, make their mark on the construction and property industries.

Cowra Hospital Redevelopment

Projects that enhance local NSW communities.

RCC’s ACT division has been awarded the Cowra Hospital Redevelopment. In close collaboration with Heath Infrastructure and the Western NSW Local Health District, we’ll deliver improved infrastructure that meets the needs of residents in Cowra, now, and into the future.

The new hospital will include upgraded inpatient beds, contemporary facilities and new health services, including the hospital’s first CT scanner. The project also includes demolition of the existing hospital and completion of car parking and landscaping.

We’re proud of our commitment to delivering projects that enhance local NSW communities. The Cowra Hospital Redevelopment will create meaningful opportunities through:

  • A 6% target for Aboriginal participation supported by key cultural awareness, employment and training initiatives
  • Adopting a Safety, Health and Wellbeing plan to support the holistic wellbeing of teams
  • A 20% target of the trades workforce as Apprentices.

“RCC’s reputation in this industry is second-to-none. Our high-performing team looks forward to partnering closely with Health Infrastructure & CWPM on this project,” said Richard Brown, ACT General Manager.

Big news for the Hunter New England team! 

Celebrating four wins at the MBA Newcastle Excellence in Building Awards 2023.  

Last week, RCC’s Hunter New England project teams took home four gongs at the prestigious Master Builder Association’s (MBA) Newcastle Excellence in Building Awards. These awards celebrate building excellence in the Hunter, Central Coast, Manning Great Lakes, Oxley and Tamworth regions, recognising local craftsmanship, expertise and excellence in construction.  

Luke Gerathy, General Manager – Hunter and New England, was quick to share his praise, “Congratulations to everyone in our project teams on your outstanding work. This is a massive achievement – one that every member of our Hunter New England team can take pride in.” 

Congratulations to all involved in the following projects: 

  • Winner: Interior & Shop Fitouts over $30m – Central Coast Clinical School & Research Institute 
  • Winner: Restoration of an Historic Building over $20m – QT Newcastle 
  • Winner: Commercial Projects over $10m – Newcastle Knights Centre of Excellence 

The night didn’t end there, with RCC awarded the 2023 Commercial Builder of the Year! We were also proud to celebrate the success of two of our most valued trade partners: 

  • Vogue Joinery: Winner – 2023 Subcontractor of the Year 
  • FC Glass & Aluminium – 2023 Best Use of Glass 

We’re incredibly proud of our long-term relationships with clients, consultants and subcontractors and these accolades reflect our dedication to ensuring the growth of our regions.  

Making mental health at work a priority for 3,500 people across Australia  

Wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. 

As a family business, we work hard to create a culture of care and support both on R U OK? Day and beyond. 

Today we facilitated 40+ R U OK? Day events across the nation, connecting with more than 3,500 employees and subcontractors. We know that a strong culture can’t be built in isolation – the one we’re building together encourages us to check-in with our mates, support our colleagues and speak up if needed.  

The sobering reality is that the construction industry has grappled with high rates of mental health issues and double the risk of suicide compared to other industries in Australia.  The workplace is increasingly being recognised as a crucial setting for interventions aimed at preventing and managing mental health issues – this is why we’re so passionate about supporting our employees and their families. 

We were incredibly fortunate to be joined by Darren Higgins, a powerful and talented Fist Nations  speaker and former professional rugby league footballer. Speaking candidly about his past struggles with mental health, Darren reminded us of the importance of banding together and the power of ‘Don’t Give Up – Speak Up.’  

We are dedicated to ensuring our people have access to ongoing support, including:  

  • Wellbeing @ Work program, which is available 365 days a year and has been designed to keep our people across Australia connected.  
  • Employee Assistance Program, a confidential and free support service provided by independent psychologists at <Mend> 
  • Headgear, a free, easy-to-use app that offers a 30-day mental fitness challenge designed to build resilience and wellbeing 
  • U Days twice per year, for the purpose of maintaining work/life balance.  
  • Qualified Mental Health First Aiders 
  • Management training and support 
  • Family and parenting support 
  • Financial planning and advice 
  • My Fitness Passport & RCC Flyers 

Wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s take the time to regularly check-in with ourselves, and the people around us to build a safe and supported work environment. 

Emergency support is always available. If you need assistance, please contact:  

  • Lifelife – 13 11 14 
  • Mensline Australia – 1300 78 99 78 
  • Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 

Building an important partnership with the Property Industry Foundation 

Making moves for homeless and vulnerable Australian youth. 

We’re taking a moment to recognise our amazing RCC riders who’ve just tackled 60km and 100km at Tour de PIF 2023. 

In our first year participating in this important initiative, we’re proud to have raised over $2,000 in support of The Property Industry Foundation – an independent not-for-profit that increases the number of bedrooms available for homeless youth. 

In 2022 alone, the Property Industry Foundation built or refurbished five houses, developing 20 more bedrooms to the market for vulnerable youth. This brings their total to 238 bedrooms, home to 335 young people, and 86,870 safe nights of sleep.   

Well done to our team: 

  • Robin Jones, Senior Estimator  
  • Pauline Leggat, Contracts Manager 
  • John McKeon, Estimating Manager – Major Projects 
  • Jonty Young, Building Cadet
  • Obadiah (Obi) Williams, Senior Project Engineer  

Bankstown Airport Lot 4B now complete

Delivering 13,555m2 of state-of-the-art warehouse space.

That’s a wrap on Bankstown Airport Lot 4B – 13,555m2 of state-of-the art warehouse space. This milestone marks the delivery of the fifth lot by Altis Property Partners and RCC on the Altitude Estate, Bankstown Airport Site.

When asked about collaborating with RCC, Joseph Ajaka, Project Director at Altis Property Partners, shared, “The team at RCC have been a pleasure to deal with over the last three years, whilst they delivered 164,000smqm of high-quality warehouse space that makes up Altitude, Bankstown Airport.”

“The team were always accommodating to us as both the client and the ultimate user – the tenant. I cannot recommend the RCC Industrial sector highly enough – their thorough, considered approach to design and approvals ensured that all warehouses were delivered seamlessly on time during some of the most challenging years with the pandemic and the rainfall of 2022.”

The Lot 4B project was designed and constructed by our dedicated project team, and includes attached 960m2 two storey office spaces, amenities and services and external works.

RCC’s specialist Industrial sector has always been – and will remain – a core business unit. We pride ourselves on partnering with our clients to deliver quality solutions. Well done to our project team and talented subcontractors for building Bankstown Airport Lot 4B in an intelligent and collaborative manner.