Award-winning Bennett Constructions projects

State Emergency Services (SES) Operations Centre, Lismore
Master Builders Association of NSW – Best Commercial Building $500,000–$1m.

The completion of this project has achieved a post-disaster command centre to enhance the SES’ emergency and rescue activities.

The Operations Centre is a purpose-built headquarters used by local SES control to assist the community during natural emergencies, such as floods and storms, and for search and rescue efforts.

A special feature of this construction is that it has been built to withstand a one in one hundred year storm event.  

Caroona Nursing Home Extensions
Master Builders Association of NSW – Best Health Building $3m and over.

Programmed over three years and built in three stages, this project realised multi-level extensions to an existing nursing home.

Providing enhanced facilities for residents and staff, the completed complex features:

• 81 bedrooms and ensuites
• 4 lounge, dining and servery areas
• Offices
• Library
• Hairdressing salon
• Private dining and function room
• Chapel
• Education and activities rooms
• Staff facilities
• Pan rooms
• Interconnecting lift to all levels.

Specialist requirements for this project included the installation of an upgraded communications system and the fitting of Nurse Call systems and Duress alarms.

St Vincent’s Hospital
Master Builders Association Excellence in Construction Awards – Certificate of Merit for Buildings $8–15m.

Bennett Constructions takes special pride in their long-running association with St Vincent’s Hospital, as the company has been involved in all recent developments at this facility.

With the addition and redevelopment of specialist medical facilities, St Vincent’s has become one of the leading private hospitals in Australia.

St Vincent’s Hospital projects undertaken by Bennett Constructions include:

• New Private Hospital wing
• Upgrade of Operating Theatres
• Specialist Medical Centre
• Day Surgery Complex
• Oral Surgery Unit
• Physiotherapy Unit
• Palliative Care Unit.

The delivery and installation of specialist medical equipment by novated subcontractors made on-time completion of these building works critical to project success.

Working in close collaboration with St Vincent’s, Bennett Constructions scheduled and met strict construction deadlines which enabled delivery and installation of specialist medical technology and equipment according to plan.

Riverlands Drug and Alcohol Centre – Lismore
Master Builders Association – Excellence in Construction Awards for Public Buildings up to $2.5m.

The Riverlands Drug and Alcohol Centre is a purpose-built complex enabling the Northern Rivers Area Health Service to service community needs.

This project achieved an innovative multipurpose facility which combines residential treatment and community outpatient services.

The centre incorporates:

• A residential detox unit
• Clinical liaison service with counselling and consulting rooms
• Pharmacotherapy and Methadone clinic
• Multi-purpose meeting room and education centre.

A special feature of this project is the Circle of Healing; an informal area which reflects the supportive focus of the facility for both community and individual clients.

The first of its kind in rural New South Wales, the Riverlands Drug and Alcohol Centre is now used as a blueprint for similar facilities throughout the state.

St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ballina
Master Builders Association – Excellence in Construction Awards for Public Buildings up to $2.5m.

The new church was built on the site of the original and its design reflects the era in which the previous building was constructed.

The new church features stained glass windows from the original church and internal timber mouldings that were specially run and fitted to reflect the original church’s design.

This historical sensitivity was further enhanced by ensuring that surrounding trees on the site could be retained during construction.

In addition, the original church organ was completely overhauled and fitted to an elevated location which overlooks the assembly and sanctuary area.

A special feature of this project is the provision of a hearing induction loop in the assembly area, to aid hearing-impaired parishioners.

Iluka Community Health Centre and Town Library
Master Builders Association – Excellence in Construction Awards – Merit Certificate.

This project provides the communities of Iluka, Woombah and Woody Head with a multifunction centre that incorporates library facilities and rooms for visiting medical practitioners.

The facility is comprised of:

• A public library
• Open access area
• Reception
• Three treatment rooms
• Consulting room
• Patient waiting room
• Child play area
• Group and Meeting Room
• Kitchen
• Disabled, staff and general public facilities
• Car parking areas.

A central requirement of this project was in-depth community consultation to establish common goals for the facility from all stakeholders.

This project has realised a landmark building in Iluka which serves as a focal point of community life.

Caroona Nursing Home, Goonellabah
Master Builders Association – Excellence in Construction Award for Public Buildings $10m.

Frank Whiddon Masonic Home – Lower Clarence Retirement Centre
Master Builders Association – Excellence in Construction Award for Public Buildings $2.5m.

‘Today, we, the staff, residents and visitors all enjoy the highly professional finished statement of Bennetts work …’

Ballina Library and Tourist Information Bureau
Concrete Masonry Association of Australia – Excellence Award for Concrete Masonry.