Riverview Assisted Living Apartments

July 15, 2020

RCC is excited to confirm we will be partnering with Carrington Care and Impact Group to deliver the new facility which will provide a service between Independent Living and Residential Aged Care.

We will proudly deliver 41 luxury apartments and a high-end building featuring a rooftop garden and shared spaces for future residents. The facility will offer a full suite of clinical, allied health and housekeeping services, a full-time concierge and opulent dining area.

RCC and Carrington Care signed the contract this week, with the team celebrating the first of many milestones as we work together to deliver this project.

We look forward to working with our project partners to deliver this bespoke facility in South West Sydney.

MORE ABOUT THE RIVERVIEW ASSISTED LIVING APARTMENTS PROJECT

Design and construction of:

41 assisted living apartments (29 x 1 and 24 x 2 bedrooms) situated across 3 levels
A semi basement parking level for 29 vehicles on Level 1
Service and Utility spaces on each residential floor
Hotel standard community facilities on Level 4 consisting of a prep Kitchen, dining room, private dining room, lounge and a multipurpose lounge room /library with associated amenities
Landscaping on ground surrounding the building and a landscaped roof terrace on Level 4

MORE ABOUT CARRINGTON CARE

Carrington is a non-profit, charitable public benevolent organisation situated approximately 4kms south west of the historic town of Camden in New South Wales.

Carrington’s vision is to be the provider of choice which enriches and enables the quality of life for all people in our community.

Find out more about Carrington Living Care Communities

Molecular Horizons – University of Wollongong

Molecular Horizons is a purpose-built facility dedicated to illuminating how life works at a molecular level and solving some of the world’s biggest health challenges.

The opportunity to be involved in delivering this high impact research facility is as rewarding as our collaborative delivery experience, partnering with University of Wollongong and our team of consultants and subcontractors.

DELIVERING MOLECULAR HORIZONS

Delivering buildings we are proud of, and knowing the important contribution they make to our community is why we love what we do.

Hear from those who were part of the Molecular Horizons project about their experience of working with RCC to deliver this incredible building.

“The researchers that are in the building they love it. Here they are in a state-of-the-art bright building with new facilities, expanded space and a lot more research capability for them as well and also a higher level of lab certification so they can do higher levels of research.”

Blake Preston
Senior Manager Project Delivery – University of Wollongong

“this was a project where the end users requirements, the scientists, and the process of construction and building was so tightly integrated I think this was a real example of a team of people, academics and construction people, who really had to find each other early on and become a real team with tight and frequent communication. And that was a process that was really good to see that happen very efficiently.

I have received lots of advice in my career never to be involved with the construction of a new building, but I have to say having done it now it was just an absolute pleasure and a real adventure and I think that’s in large part because of RCC”

Antoine Van Oijen
Director, Molecular Horizons
School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience – University of Wollongong

MORE ABOUT THE MOLECULAR HORIZONS PROJECT

Design, construction and integrated fit out of the five-storey facility within the operational University of Wollongong campus. The building includes office and administration areas with meeting and conference rooms; research and chemistry laboratories (including PC2 and BC2 certified); animal housing; and an astronomy and chemistry roof platform with rooftop mechanical plant.

These state-of-the-art facilities house some of the world’s most revolutionary technology, including Australia’s most powerful biological electron microscope, the Titan Krios cryo-EM microscope.

Hear more about University of Wollongong’s vision behind this world-leading Molecular Life Sciences facility.

MORE ABOUT MOLECULAR HORIZONS RESEARCH

Research Grant for Director OF Molecular Horizons

Congratulations to UoW researcher, Distinguished Professor Antoine van Oijen who was recently awarded $1M for antimicrobial resistance research – a project which will develop a new approach to understanding and tackling drug resistance.

“The first publication out of the facility was something called ATP synthase; that’s a protein in your body that creates the energy source for life which is what your cells use; which is Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) so that was exciting”

James Bouwer
General Manager of Cryo Electron Microscopy – Molecular Horizons
School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience – University of Wollongong

Delivering TRN House

June 26, 2020

Oran Park Towns’ First Standalone Commercial Building Was Built on Collaboration

The first step in successfully delivering commercial developments is listening. In our experience, understanding the needs, wants and concerns of our clients and the end user early allows us to establish a collaborative partnership with the wider project team, and leverage the diverse stakeholder input to realise an informed, functional design and high performing asset.

Hearing from our project partners that this approach makes a difference to them, makes our commitment all the more rewarding. Glenn Fordham at TRN Group and Wayne Perich at Greenfields Development Company wrote to us acknowledging the impact that this collaboration had on the team and the completed TRN House building;

“We proudly now have an outstanding building incorporating a new bespoke head office to call our home for many years (and hopefully generations) to come…
We will be forever grateful for the RCC team’s assistance throughout the build and in particular, our office fit-out”

(Full testimonial later in article)

Glenn Fordham
Director, General Manager – Projects
TRN Group

“Greenfields Development Company joint ventured with TRN Group to construct the first standalone commercial building at Oran Park. RCC was selected as the builder and delivered an A Class quality building. The synergy between Greenfields, TRN, and RCC could not have been better. The RCC team were easy to work with and had the clients’ interests at heart.
Honesty in the building game is hard to find and it was evident throughout our experience with RCC. Thank you.”

Wayne Perich
Director
Greenfields Development Company

Priding ourselves on maintaining long term relationships with our clients and project partners, RCC is invested in the long-term performance of their commercial assets, beyond project completion. A ‘one team’ approach with our clients, tenants, consultants and subcontractors, where we are all working towards a shared goal, encourages innovative, solution focused delivery, driving value, efficiency and an enjoyable journey for all stakeholders.

THE TRN HOUSE STAKEHOLDER EXPERIENCE

The collective GDC, TRN and RCC team worked collaboratively with the wider consultant and subcontractor team throughout delivery, which included celebrating project milestones together. The Topping Out Ceremony in late 2019 was a significant event, marking completion of the structure on Oran Park Towns first standalone commercial building, as well as an opportunity to raise funds for a worthy cause.

The entire project team joined RCC to see the ceremonial tree craned onto the roof slab, with most guests wearing pink to promote Pink Up Oran Park; a breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign supporting the McGrath Foundation, which involved several sites across Oran Park Town turning a shade of pink during the month of October.

Pictured (left to right): Terry Fordham (TRN), Ron Perich (GDC), Glenn Fordham (TRN), Mark Perich (GDC), Tony Perich (GDC), Wayne Perich (GDC)

“We worked with RCC on the Oran Park Commercial 1 development (now known as TRN House) under unique circumstances as both a subcontractor and client. In addition to this, we are an end user in the development. This was our first experience with a commercial build, let alone one of this scale.
From the outset during tender stage, the consistent team gave us confidence in their understanding of the proposed build within the project’s constraints and specifications. A great rapport developed with the team throughout the build and any unexpected issues were dealt with honestly in an ‘open book’ fashion and resolved quickly through to final completion. We proudly now have an outstanding building incorporating a new bespoke head office to call our home for many years (and hopefully generations) to come.
Working with this team has restored my faith in Building Contractors and I look forward to the opportunity of working with them again one day soon to deliver another significant building in the Macarthur area in which we are based. We will be forever grateful for the RCC team’s assistance throughout the build and in particular, our office fit-out. This has been a positive experience we will fondly remember and are truly grateful for.”

Glenn Fordham
Director, General Manager – Projects
TRN Group

Some of the RCC delivery team, including (Pictured front row, three on right): Michael Ryan (Project Manager), Richard Crookes (Executive Chairman) and Cameron Waller (Construction Manager).

MORE ABOUT TRN HOUSE

(Formerly Oran Park Commercial)

Completed in April 2020, the project involved the design and construction of a new 6 storey A Grade equivalent commercial centre with a GFA of 10,307sqm featuring:

3 storey basement carpark with 320 vehicle spaces and 20 motorcycle spaces
3 glass passenger lifts (including glass lift shafts) servicing 9 levels and 1 car lift servicing the roof
Landscaped roof-top terrace and ground floor central atrium space
Associated street level landscaping and public domain works; and
Dedicated loading / delivery dock areas
The team also completed the Integrated fitout of Level 5 – TRN Group’s head office which included:
- Collaborative, open plan work spaces,
- Various offices and meeting rooms,
- Kitchenettes and an outdoor terrace entertaining area &
- Custom signage throughout

Innovation Quarter – Westmead

June 23, 2020

The RCC team is excited to be on site and commence works on the 19 storey Innovation Quarter in Westmead.

iQ will be a multidisciplinary research space that allows collaboration between business, health and research – a ‘living lab’ that fosters the sharing of knowledge and resources.

“There’s never been a more important time to focus on health research and innovation, and this project collaboration with Western Sydney University will deliver critical infrastructure to support this”

Mr David Harrison – Charter Hall Managing Director and Group CEO

RCC’s General Manager – Major Projects, Grant D’Arcy, said RCC is honoured to continue working with Charter Hall, in partnership with Western Sydney University to bring the vision of an Engineering Innovation Hub to life;

“Innovation Quarter sets a new benchmark for market leading research facilities, bringing together world class research and Australia’s leading businesses, innovators and academics to solve today’s global challenges.

RCC’s focus is on delivering the digital technology and sustainability amenity required to attract Australia’s leading businesses and provide a collaborative and comfortable environment which facilitates multidisciplinary research.”

Grant D’Arcy – RCC General Manager – Major Projects

Within each building, large and flexible floorplates will offer a variety of office configurations, while future-proofed technology will support a forward-thinking workforce. The east and west towers will share a central square, lined with cafés, restaurants, bars, and boutiques – an expansive open-air lifestyle destination for Westmead.

The Innovation Quarter (iQ) will undoubtedly make an impact on the Western Sydney skyline and the international research community.

The masterplan for this landmark facility is targeting leading WELL and Green Star ratings, whilst energy and water efficiency systems equivalent to 5-Star and 4-Star NABERS Energy and Water ratings have been created to further reduce outgoings and environmental impacts for tenants and visitors.

Grant noted that RCC will continue their commitment to generating positive impacts beyond the design and construction of quality facilities, ensuring they leverage the project delivery to benefit the local community and the industry.

Meet Tamara Jonson

May 26, 2020

RCC’s Group Head of Workplace Health and Safety

Tamara brings 20 + years’ experience working in high risk industries including mining, tunnelling, civil infrastructure, rail and construction to the role. We are proud to welcome Tamara, who shares our belief that positive safety outcomes are as important as productivity and quality in delivering successful projects and advancing our industry.

Educating and empowering every member of our extended team to take care of one another and go home safe to their loved ones each day forms the foundation of our safety culture.

Tamara says she chose a career in safety after seeing, at a young age, the profound and long-term impact workplace accidents can have on people’s lives and the important difference a proactive, accountable and positive safety culture can have;

“As a child I spent my holidays and weekends travelling with my dad to mines and construction sites, where he was running a cultural change program. At the age of about 10, I sat in a session with him one day and saw these miners sitting in a crib shed crying about a workmate and friend they had lost in a workplace fatality. It really impacted me, and I made a commitment to myself that this was something I wanted to work to prevent happening in the future.”

She says that connecting with people at project level, providing coaching and support to improve communication, planning and leadership, while also having an opportunity to serve them by uniting everyone to provide a safe and supportive work environment, is why she loves what she does.

“I have worked for various contractors and always found myself drawn to working for a business whose core values were based on genuine care for people; I have found that at Richard Crookes Constructions. This business allows you to be part of a family business, where you can make genuine change, with the opportunity and diversity that comes from a large contractor. From the minute I met the team I knew they genuinely care about their people as a family.

For me, a positive safety culture exists when we set high standards and expectations, communicate those standards at every level and then hold each other accountable for maintaining them.

Ultimately, it’s about ensuring that every RCC site is a safe, welcoming and productive environment. Maintaining a best-practice safety culture in line with industry advancements in technology, social responsibility, innovation and sustainability is key to achieving best-for-project results for all stakeholders.”

As a family business, our values and RCC’s legacy is important to every member of our team. As a proud Australian business, we also have a sense of responsibility to our staff, clients, project and community partners. The foundations of our business and the passion of our people is centred on delivering projects we are proud of and leaving the next generation of construction professionals with a safer, more inclusive, innovative and sustainable industry.

Stage 1B of Inverell Hospital

April 28, 2020

The RCC Hunter New England team is incredibly proud to have been awarded the next stage of the Inverell Hospital Redevelopment.

In uncertain times where there is much reflection on the importance of our health care facilities and workers, we are celebrating the role we are able to play in delivering quality facilities for our hospital staff to keep our communities healthy and well. For the members of the RCC team, whose family and friends rely on this local hospital, there is a shared sense of pride in the contribution their work will make to their community, now and for future generations.

For RCC, working on critical projects which support the delivery of essential services in our local communities is an important part of what we do. We take pride in our work and the impact it has, particularly in regional and remote areas. As they approach the completion of the first stage of the Inverell Hospital upgrade, the team say their involvement in this project means so much to them and their families, beyond the opportunity to be employed to do what they love each day.

THE INVERELL HOSPITAL PROJECT

Stage 1a (RCC Completed 2019)

The project involves the alteration and refurbishment of the Inverell Hospital, essentially doubling the existing space and improving flexibility for staff. Facilities include:

Emergency Department including emergency care for children and mental health-related presentations
Inpatient Unit, with paediatric, maternity and birthing facilities and general adult services including palliative care
Medical Imaging space including identified future expansion zone
Operating Theatres
Central Sterilising Unit
Day Surgery Unit (increasing from 1 space up to 6)
Renal Dialysis unit
Refurbishment of main entry & admissions area
Mortuary

This Stage (1B)

This stage specifically entails the decanting of staff and patients from the existing hospital floorspace into the newly completed Stage 1a building, as well as the demolition, refurbishment and upgrade of the existing Inverell Hospital building into a Community Health Centre. This facility will provide additional community services for chronic disease, allied health, oral health and women and paediatric services, as well as office and education spaces.
This stage will also include new external carparking, services upgrades and CT scanner fit out.

THE PASSIONATE TEAM DELIVERING INVERELL HOSPITAL

Beyond the physical building, the completed Inverell Hospital facility will have a long-lasting legacy for the local Inverell community and those in the surrounding areas. We asked a few of our team to share what the project means to them:

Meet RCC’s New Sustainability Manager

March 17, 2020

As a family owned, Australian business, Richard Crookes Constructions (RCC) is committed to making a difference locally and on a global scale.

As an industry, Construction has a large impact on our environment and climate change. As a business, we are dedicated to a future that moves to more sustainable construction and whole of life practices.

With that in mind, we are excited to have Sarah Kaleta join the RCC team as our Sustainability Manager, with 13 years’ experience in the industry, having worked on state- significant projects across Melbourne and Sydney, namely Central Barangaroo. Sarah will play an integral role in the successful delivery of sustainability initiatives across projects and at a wider business level.

“The culture at RCC peaked my initial interest, having worked previously for a family-run construction business with similar values. The scale of RCC’s business and range of projects presents a unique opportunity where I can add significant value and help the business develop their sustainability values and goals.”

Sarah is passionate about building, the environment and challenging ourselves to reduce our impact.

“I appreciate the importance of engaging with the delivery side of our industry and up-skilling people along the way. Education is key to sustainability – empowering each other to make decisions that make a difference in our built environment.”

We look forward to introducing you to Sarah over the coming months to discuss how your projects can reduce their impact on the environment, whilst remaining true to the project objectives.

Meet Mo – He Loves His Job

February 28, 2020

In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia by Great Place to Work, RCC has interviewed 10 employees who love their job. RCC is honoured to have such passionate employees who jumped at the opportunity to share what they do, and why they love it.

Meet Mohommed Dunia. Mo’s journey with RCC began just over 2 years ago when he joined us as a cadet.

As a Construction Management student, Mo undertook a Cadetship with RCC to access paid employment and gain practical industry experience early in his degree. Mo Says that the rotational program structure across various roles in the business allowed him to better understand his strengths and interests before deciding on his chosen career path.

“Doing the RCC cadetship meant I had the opportunity to rotate between engineering, design, estimating and planning and contract administration. I initially wanted to be a Site Engineer but after working as a Contract Administrator on our Quartet project in Lane Cove, I knew that’s what I loved.

I have had other roles in the industry, and I like that RCC view cadets differently. They really care about and invest in you.”

Mo told us that for a university student starting his degree, the opportunity to gain broad industry exposure in such an immersive way helped him acquire the diverse skills needed to pursue a long-term career in construction, which is just one reason he loves his job.

It made us proud to hear that our varied program structure allows the future leaders of our business to make informed career decisions and ensures they are well rounded in whatever particular role they choose to pursue.

“The exposure I gained in my cadetship means I now have an understanding of estimating and engineering and I bring this knowledge to my role as a Contract Administrator on every project. For you to be successful in any one position, whether it’s CA, Site Engineer or Estimator you need to understand the other roles and their function and outcomes.
Doing the cadetship gave me the confidence to do things without second guessing myself.”

Within two and a half years, Mo progressed from a Cadet to a confident and capable Contract Administrator. Now working on the iconic Walsh Bay Arts Precinct project on Sydney Harbour, Mo brings an infectious enthusiasm to the job – something he says is a reflection of how supportive his team is of him and his goals as a young professional in the industry;

“I love RCC because at the end of the day, we’re all working together. Once you get the work done you can enjoy the successes with your team.
I have a lot of mentors here and I know if I need anything, I can always call on them.”

With his sights set on eventually progressing to a Project Manager role, Mo says he feels confident that RCC can provide him with the right support and development opportunities to achieve his long-term goals. But for Mo, it’s the added bonus of RCC’s family values that make this journey special.

“We’re excited to see each other at work because of the real sense of family here. I’ve been here for 2.5 years and I’m very comfortable.”

MORE ABOUT OUR CADET PROGRAM

The RCC Cadet Program provides first-hand experience across various aspects of our business through a structured 2-year, rotational program. Cadets rotate between four areas of the business to gain exposure across a variety of roles and ensure they build the skills necessary to progress upon graduation.
The program is designed to provide employment and on-the-job experience to students as well as support their studies so when they graduate, they can make an informed decision about their career path and step into a fulltime role in their chosen area.

MORE ABOUT WALSH BAY ARTS PRECINCT

As Managing Contractor on the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct project, RCC is responsible for the design and construction of this redeveloped public arts and cultural hub on Sydney’s waterfront, whilst preserving the industrial heritage of the existing structures.

Stages 1, 2 & 3 are currently underway and involve the delivery of:

Demolition and upgrade of existing arts facilities on Wharf 4 & 5 for the Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Philharmonia, Gondwana and Song Company;
Adaptive reuse and upgrade of facilities and performance spaces on Pier 2 and 3 for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Bell Shakespeare and Australian Theatre for Young People
New commercial retail spaces throughout the precinct

INTERESTING PROJECT STATS

10-15km of electrical cabling in Theatre 1 alone
800 tonnes of structural steelwork has been installed on Wharf 4/5 with 700 tonnes of steel yet to be installed for Pier 2/3
Just under 290,000 site hours have been worked so far (that’s nearly 33 years)
A site boat is utilised for under-wharf inspections, rather than land machinery

Retirement Living to Reach New Heights in Waitara

January 29, 2020

The Kokoda Residences has been given the green light, marking an early milestone in the delivery of this modern multi-storey seniors living tower in Waitara, on Sydney’s North Shore.

The Kokoda Residences signifies a new trend in the aged care and retirement sector, aimed at providing residents with the benefits of community-style living and easy access to important services and transport with close proximity to central city areas.

“We’re confident that the project delivery team will ensure a quality building that will complement the Vasey portfolio. This development will truly allow us to return a vibrant senior’s community to Waitara.”

Kate Gunton – Chairman, Vasey Communities

Kokoda Residences will set a new benchmark for retirement living, offering a vertical community hub complete with 117 independent living units over 12 storeys. Kokoda’s multi-storey tower design will offer residents the option of one, two or three bedroom apartments located in close proximity to the restaurants, cafes, arts and cultural attractions in the surrounding suburbs.

We are honoured to have been selected as the Managing Contractor to partner with Vasey Communities, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in the development of secure, independent residential accommodation for members of the community in need, particularly those with a defence connection.

“We have a proud history of providing retirement living communities across Sydney and this project is a key plank in our village modernisation program.”

Kate Gunton – Chairman, Vasey Communities

With Australia’s population of 85 years and over expected to increase from 1.8% to 8% over the next 3 years, RCC appreciates the significant contribution that the Kokoda Residences will make to meeting the future demand for aged care and independent living communities.

RCC is committed to supporting the ageing populations in the communities we live and work in, and we look forward to applying our 30+ years aged care and retirement living experience to delivering what will certainly be a superior retirement living accommodation facility, and a cornerstone in Vasey Communities’ growing collection of retirement communities across Sydney.

“Both Vasey and RCC have a rich history built around integrity and care. These shared values and our specialist Retirement Living experience, will allow us to collaborate with the stakeholder team to provide a market leading facility and a home for future residents.”

– Rod Burger, General Manager of the Aged Care & Retirement Living Division RCC

More about the Kokoda Residences

The Kokoda Residences project consists of a new multi-storey tower offering 117 Independent Living Units over 12 levels of habitable community space with direct access to allied health, mixed retail and commercial services, multi-purpose recreation, meeting rooms and 2 storey basement parking.

The Kokoda Residences is part of the Vasey Communities’ growing portfolio of seniors living accommodation across Sydney and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

View more of RCC’s retirement living projects here.

An Exhausting and Rewarding 100km for Lifeline

RCC couldn’t be prouder of members of our Newcastle team who pushed themselves to the limit for a worthy cause – the Newy100 team completed 100km in 18 hours to raise awareness and a staggering $50,000 in funds for Lifeline Direct!

Alan McCully and Adrian Connell, both from our Newcastle office, were part of a crew of 15 local Hunter athletes who took on the Newy100 – This monumental 100km by foot event was organised to raise awareness and much needed funds for the suicide prevention and crisis support service, Lifeline Direct. The funds will go to the Lifeline Direct Newcastle and Central Coast branch who have been providing the local community with free access to counselling, crisis and bereavement support services for years.

“On behalf of Lifeline in Newcastle and the Hunter we were honoured to have the Newy100 team choose Lifeline as their charity partner. The fundraising team is very lean and work extremely hard to raise funds to sustain the centre so we are extremely grateful for the monies raised which will support our local centre in Islington.

I was very fortunate to be present over the 18-hour event and witness the camaraderie and determination of the Newy100. And the final 10km, what a wonderful sight; the community support and connection synonymous with what Lifeline represents.”

Julie Wicks – Regional General Manager, Lifeline Direct

For the weeks leading up to the event, RCC’s extended family and the wider Newcastle community showed an enormous display of support that certainly helped the team surpass their initial $10,000 goal. Alan, RCC Project Engineer and brave Newy100 finisher, said the incredible generosity just goes to show how much the issue of mental health and support services like Lifeline resonates within the local community – and particularly the construction industry.

“Mental health affects so many families, particularly those working in our industry. Organisations such as Lifeline are so important for our community – they literally save lives. The reason I wanted to get involved was not just the personal challenge but because the money raised stays within the local Newcastle community.”

“To say we are grateful and humbled is an understatement.”

Alan McCully – RCC Project Engineer

The team also invited the local community to join them for the final 10km, 5km or 2km of the mammoth 100km event, which generated another huge display of support, despite the rain.

Congratulations to the Newy100 team for your huge achievement; RCC is certainly proud to have two of their own showing such a selfless commitment to the community!

More About Lifeline Direct

Lifeline Direct is the local delivery arm for Life Australia and is an amalgamation of local offices that share administrative and other support services. The Newcastle and Hunter regions are particularly underfunded, so any donation large or small is very much appreciated.

Click here to show your support for the Newy100 and to donate to Lifeline Direct Newcastle/Hunter.

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