How the DoD Built a New Special Forces Facility

The Special Operations Working Accommodation (SOWA) was part of a Department of Defence investment in counter-terrorism capabilities at Holsworthy Barracks.

Project Details

Location: Alec Campbell Drive, Holsworthy NSW 2173

Project Value: $182 million

Sector: Government

Services Rendered: Project management and contract administration during construction

Completion Date: July 2010

Design: GroupGSA / Rice Daubney (HDR)

Contractor: John Holland

31

hectares

73

buildings

56000

of gross floor area

A Revitalised Facility in Holsworthy Barracks

As part of further developing Australia’s counter-terrorism capabilities, the Department of Defence (DoD) undertook a full-scale redevelopment of Holsworthy Barracks, a precinct located within the Liverpool Military Area.

The first stage of that redevelopment focused on the Special Operations Working Accommodation (SOWA) in Tobruk Lines, a sub-area of Holsworthy Barracks.

The purpose of the project: to provide new facilities for the 4th Battalion (Commando) Royal Australian Regiment, the Tactical Assault Group (East), the Incident Response Regiment, and the Special Operations Combat Services Support Company.

The Challenges

The existing SOWA was a live environment that was being used by multiple Defence Force units.

We needed to redevelop its facilities with minimal interruption to base operations – especially given the specialism of the units involved.

The Solutions

To offset the disruptive nature of the works, we implemented an intricate staging and decanting scheme.

The units who used the existing SOWA were able to continue their operations without interruption, and the project was able to stay within its carefully scoped timelines and budget.

The Outcomes

We managed the project delivery under a construct-only contract, facilitating the construction of new:

accommodation
training and lecture facilities
vehicle workshops
armouries
stores facilities
medical facilities
administration offices
vehicle shelters
security facilities
special purpose buildings.

We also undertook demolition and refurbishment work, redirection and amplification of existing in-ground services, provision of new in-ground services, landscaping works, and the provision of extensive road and pavement works.

The result was a revitalised SOWA that matched the DoD’s special operations requirements.

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Client Testimonials

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"…Empire were always responsive to our needs and ensured that value was derived from all design and related procurement decisions."

Daniel Ross General Manager - Property, The Crescent Hotel

"The University stakeholders were greatly impressed with Empire's professionalism and commitment to efficiently meeting the projects objectives within the agreed constraints..."

Bill Vertsonis Senior Project Manager, Macquarie University

"He has provided invaluable advice and guidance to our management and the project team to ensure that our projects were delivered on time, on brief and within budget."

Darren Marino Group Chief Operating Officer, Mounties Group

"Empire has ensured that the project was delivered to the high standard that was required and any issues were dealt with in a professional manner."

Ian Sutcliffe QLD Asset Manager, Stockland

"we were appreciative of the diligence they applied when representing our interests in the day to day running of the project, providing leadership, guidance and experience to the project team."

Mark Crick General Manager Assest Management, Redcape Hotel Group

"As Empire have demonstrated numerous times in the past, they were able to really understand the operational imperatives of the business, develop and manage implementation of strategies to best meet our needs."

Joe Saleh General Manager - Developments, Redcape Hotel Group

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