The World’s Greatest Shave 2024

We’ve raised over $127,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation…and counting. 

Last week, Team RCC cut, shaved and coloured their hair for the World’s Greatest Shave – raising vital funds for blood cancer research and support.  

A special shout-out to Andrew Buchanan, Construction Manager – Schools, who is the top fundraiser across Australia – raising a whopping $76,000! Congratulations also to Brendan Peera, Construction Manager and Claude Concha, General Manager – Industrial, for raising $19,761 and $18,761 respectively.  

It’s not too late to show your support – help us beat blood cancer by donating here: Richard Crookes Constructions | World’s Greatest Shave | Leukaemia Foundation 

Delivering on NSW Police’s modernisation plans

Earlier this month, Commissioner Webb and NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley inaugurated the new accommodation facility at the almost 40-year-old NSW Goulburn Police Academy.

Completed by RCC in just 12 months the state-of-the-art precinct has been designed to future-proof NSW Police’s capacity to train the highest calibre of recruits. Staff and students will enjoy modern and connected accommodation facilities comprising 180 modern rooms featuring ensuites, as well as spacious common areas and kitchenettes.

Advanced site logistics, planning and stakeholder collaboration enabled our project team to deliver the facility within the live Academy grounds, all the while ensuring operational continuity.

Karen Webb, NSW Police Commissioner, reflected on the importance of the new accommodation precinct, “…providing police with modern and professional facilities ensures we continue to provide world-class training to meet the challenges of modern-day policing.”

We’re proud to have partnered with NSW Police, Spotless Downer and our ecosystem of consultants and contractors to bring to life their vision for a modern facility that responds to the evolving working and living conditions of Police staff and students.

Infrastructure that enables older Australians to live well.

The $31 million RACF at Pacific Cape Lodge is now complete – delivered in partnership with Reecon. The modern five-storey building contains 88 residential rooms, with parking and services on the lower two levels.

With more than 100 aged care projects delivered across Australia since 1976, we understand the criticality of environmentally sensitive construction. Our team mitigated disruption and construction impacts for surrounding neighbours by drawing on Reecon’s first-hand site knowledge and local resources. Extensive pre-planning, including monitoring and management of noise works for adjacent living units, were also imperative to this project’s success.

We’re proud to help older Australians live well – delivering critical social infrastructure that meets their ever-evolving needs. Thank you to our delivery partners who made this possible.

More than 100 aged care projects delivered across Australia.

Residents are moving into their new premises at Green Hills Residential Care Service by Fresh Hope Communities in Maitland – a contemporary, multi-level residential care facility that incorporates new models of care in non-institutional ‘care household’ environments.

In collaboration with Fresh Hope Communities and Calder Flower Architects, our team of delivery experts led the demolition of a pre-existing care facility and associated infrastructure. Following this, works commenced on the new 158-bed residential residential care service and respite centre, which accommodates 20 day visitors and 8 overnight beds.

 

With more than 100 aged care projects delivered across Australia since 1976, we understand the criticality of environmentally sensitive construction. Our team mitigated disruption and construction impacts for the surrounding community and Two Mile Creek ecosystem by implementing a bespoke Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Green Hills Residential Care Service has been designed to foster connection with both the local community and native landscapes. Nestled amongst the ten residential wings are sensory sitting spaces, also known as ‘garden rooms,’ that invite generous views and connection to natural surrounds.

Residents, staff and visitors at Green Hills can access the following:

• Wellness and health centre
• Commercial café
• Day centre
• Recreational spaces including a kiosk shed, arboretum and pergola.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the delivery of this important social infrastructure.

Driving the growth of a stronger business and industry.

Our culture, people and the journey we offer our partners make us unique. This International Women’s Day (IWD) we recognise the invaluable contribution women make to our business and industry. Their excellence drives our success and inspires the next generation of female industry leaders.  

2024’s theme is Inspire Inclusion. Rather than celebrating for a single day, we want to start important conversations which help us to tailor our approach to empowering, supporting and elevating women in the construction industry. Our people are the cornerstone of everything we do – for them, and future generations, we have begun implementing change in the right direction.  

The industry has come so far, but there is still a long way to go in creating an equitable, inclusive and innovative sector. We are committed to the long haul and know that a diverse and inclusive environment breeds innovation and drives the growth of a stronger business and industry.  

Together with our people, partners, industry, and community we want to build a shared legacy; a more equitable, inclusive industry for the next generation. 

Catering to growing demands for purpose-built student accommodation.

Once complete, 17-21 Lachlan Avenue Macquarie Park will cater to the influx of international students returning to nearby Macquarie University, which is home to more than 44,000 students.

RCC is partnering with Lachlan Avenue Development to lead the construction of the new student accommodation facility. The project will deliver 732 beds – comprising student apartments and five-bed cluster units – in a stepped 10, 13 and 15 storey development. The buildings will also incorporate communal areas with amenities including dining areas, gym facilities, lounges, study rooms, courtyards and a roof terrace with swimming pool.

RCC is delighted to continue our delivery of high-quality student accommodation with this new facility in Macquarie Park.

Since delivering our first Student Accommodation project in 2011, RCC has delivered over 5,500 beds, with an additional 2,000 beds due for completion in 2024.

Our team of delivery experts have unmatched experience delivering future-focused student accommodation. Our innate appreciation of the end users’ requirements enables us to partner with our clients to deliver facilities that exceed expectations.

Construction of the new student accommodation facility is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Exploring new roadmaps that drive meaningful change. 

Creating the next wave of momentum through engagement and thought leadership. 

Hosting our second think-tank lunch with industry participation, the series promotes connection, sharing of ideas and emphasising action over rhetoric to create an equitable industry. This initiative brought together senior experts to hear from Cate Cowlishaw, recipient of the RCC-sponsored 2023 NAWIC Business Woman of the Year award. Also in attendance was Richard Crookes Constructions’ Ashley Barnes, recipient of the 2023 NAWIC Regional Woman of the Year award. 

Kate Hannaford, General Manager – New Business, said, “This think-tank aims to support senior women in construction to channel their vision into practical pathways and solutions that bolster a safe, equitable and inclusive industry for all. Tenacity, leadership and perseverance are qualities that serve as the bedrock of success as we shift the dial and explore a roadmap that enables organisations and individuals to adopt new ways of working.”  

Thank you to all attendees for engaging in such thoughtful, valuable discussion.  

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has published gender pay gap data for over 5000 Australian companies for the first time. Richard Crookes Constructions (RCC) supports the publication of this information and is looking forward to working with WGEA and the construction industry to reduce the median pay gap between women and men employed in the Australian building sector.

As of the 31^st March 2023, RCC has a median gender pay gap of 27.3%. It’s important to note that the gender pay gap is the difference in average earnings between women and men in the workforce. It is not to be confused with women and men being paid the same for the same or comparable job.

Whilst we’re proud of the progress we’ve made in this space to date and how this is reflected in terms of our industry group positioning, we acknowledge we have a long way to go in terms of reducing the gap and creating more inclusive and equitable industry for all.

RCC is pleased to share our Gender Equity Statement which outlines our gender pay gap information, the drivers behind it and what we are doing in order to address systemic gender imbalances within our industry.

RCC Gender Equity Statement 2024

Recognising the collaborative effort of our talented design and delivery partners.

The Art Gallery of NSW‘s Sydney Modern building has won the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) Large Projects Award.

Collaborating with our extended design and delivery partners, we leveraged market-leading 4D modelling technology which aided in the early detection of construction methodology complexities, particularly in relation to structural steel. This technology also allowed the project team to digitally rehearse, and scenario test programme changes to improve and optimise the project’s delivery.

Given the structure’s complexity and programme requirements, early procurement, planning and precise execution of 1,400 tonnes of structural steel was critical to the building’s success.

The high-profile project achieved a 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built v1.1 certified rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. This speaks to the quality of the design and delivery of the cultural landmark in the Domain parklands overlooking Sydney Harbour. The Art Gallery is the first public art museum in Australia to achieve this world-leadership design rating.

The structural design played a critical role in reducing embodied carbon relative to a standard building. This was achieved through:

Reuse and repurposing of existing structures

• The art museum’s design transforms a decommissioned World War II fuel tank into a unique gallery space. The Art Gallery’s intent was to leave this space as raw as possible.
• RCC ensured all unique finishes were protected and retained while constructing several levels of new art pavilion structures on top of the tank.

Smart structural design initiatives

• Lightweight concrete was used in the composite steel and concrete floor and roof structures supported by both the former fuel tanks and a land bridge.
• Higher grade steel (grade 400MPa) was utilised.
• Digital design processes were optimised to represent the geometry and loading efficiently and accurately in analysis and design.
• The entire building structure was designed to be durable and robust, through the adoption of a 100-year design life.

Advanced structural analysis

• Due to the highly complex nature of much of the structural steel installation, multiple planning sessions were held for each steel-framed building zone, to develop robust and thorough erection sequencing documents and plans.

Celebrating career milestones.  

Congratulations to Ghazaleh Norgard on her recent promotion to Deputy Chief Financial Officer. 

In a testament to perseverance, dedication and problem-solving, Ghazaleh has navigated her way through various roles to craft a remarkable career path that exemplifies excellence in delivery.  

Joining RCC as Financial Controller in 2019, she was tasked with developing the in-house finance function – improving efficiencies and establishing strong governance and processes. Since then, she has established the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and built a high-performing and collaborative team who service the entire organisation. Her expertise will now play a pivotal role in driving our strategic direction. 

“My goal as a leader is to deliver on-time, every time while fostering a kind and cohesive team environment. It’s important to know how and when to push each team member to be their best.”  

In 2024, she intends to focus on leading her team in the face of an evolving industry landscape. “We work as a collaborative team – a diverse group working in harmony. I want to keep the team engaged to continue to deliver and service the business, while growing and developing in their own careers. I see that as success – being the leader you want to see.” 

Congratulations Ghazaleh – the respect, kindness and expertise you bring to our team does not go unnoticed. We’re delighted to celebrate this milestone with you.