Well 2013 is well and truly upon us and the beginning of the year looks exciting.
Towards the end of last year we were working on some interesting projects in some equally interesting parts of the country.
Mount Isa
Firstly is a 3 x 3 Bedroom Townhouse development in Mount Isa. Located in remote North western Queensland this project had some intersting challemes attached to it.
- A small building envelope
- Corner allotment
- one of the worlds largest copper and zinz mines within 1km of the site
- Climate challenges with Mount Isa being a hot / arid climate
Our brief was to produce an “up market” residential precint that would appeal to professionals, mine managers and their families. With a lack of Executive syle accomodation in Mount Isa we felt that this would provide a higher standard of livability close to the Town Centre.
Seventh Avenue Mount Isa
Despite some rather contensious issues regarding the size and yield of the site the application has beenaccepted favourably and we’re expecting approval to proceed in the next couple of weeks.
Port Hedland
As far west as we’ve ever worked to date. Port Hedland is located in the North West of Western Australia. A hub of the iron ore and bauxite mining industry. A severe lack of accommodation to support the influx of workers has made Port Hedland a vibrant development “hot spot”.
We were commissioned to Design and prepare a Planning Application for stage 2 of a 1 and 2 bedroom unit complex………easy enough one would think..Wrong!!!
Since stage one being constructed the Planning Scheme had been changed and severely restricted what was achievable. For example there were to be no openable windows or doors on the northern or western facades…………Yet stage one was facing north. With some quick and innovative design and lateral thinking we provided an air lock system to prevent dust from the nearby monies to entering the units. As this was the intention of the changes to the scheme.
- Morgans Street Port Hedland
The project has been recommended for Approval and we are waiting for the decision notice to be issued.
Nebo
Back closer to home in the Bowen Basin coalfield region is Nebo in central Queensland Nebo is a small town about 100 kms west of Mackay and is fast growing int a service hub for the coal mining industry.
Once again the “mining boom” has caused a shortage of accommodation for the workers required to operate these massive mining operations.
Our client had has asked us to assist in gaining a Planning Approval and assist in gaining a Building Approval. The project has now been granted a Development Permit and we’re now proceeding with the construction drawings for a construction.
Mary Street Nebo
Challenges with this project were very stringent requirements for a “livable” type of accommodation. Many smaller towns from on the “fly in – fly out” accommodation types or “dongas” with their argument being that the occupant don’t contribute to the local economy. Working long shifts they only eat and sleep in these quarters. While there must be a balance of accommodation types we’re confident that we’ve delivered a vibrant and modern design that will enhance the community.
more unique and successful projects coming soon
