RipleyCentralStateSchool

The brand new Ripley Central State School project is a multistaged education project located on a greenfield site in Brisbane’s fastest growing region. Building A is 3 storeys high with 25 learning areas and associated spaces. The building also includes expansive administration and staff areas along with a lower level student resource centre. Building H is 2 storeys high, with basement level carpark and storage spaces, and a ground level multipurpose hall that features a sports floor, stage, and adjacent music learning spaces. The associated external works will comprise of play areas, sports courts, an oval, hardscape areas and walkways, fencing and carparks and roadways. 

Hutchies’ proactive approach not only met but exceeded client expectations. Our team experienced around 10 weeks of wet weather during the La Niña patterns of 2022. Despite these delays, we were able to reprogram the project and accelerate a staged opening through separable portions ready for Day 1 Term 1 handover. Hutchinson Builders maintains an exceptional relationship with Queensland’s Department of Education, consistently delivering new school projects and expansions. Recently, we also established a new working relationship with Project Managers Ernst & Young, who merged with the incumbent superintendent, Cadence

We expedited our labour resourcing to exceed the program and deliver the project ahead of the contractual deadline. Separable Portion 1 (SP1) works included the ground floor administration area, eight Prep General Learning Areas (GLAs), and the Northern staff carpark. We successfully handed over SP1, allowing the new school to operate seamlessly from Day 1 Term 1, as per their targeted completion date. Following this we promptly handed over SP2 – the remaining level one GLAs, and SP3 which was balance of Building A and full handover of Building H. Official practical completion included SP4 being the oval, kiss & go and southern carpark.

Throughout the project, all stakeholders maintained a positive working relationship. Towards the project’s completion, the client worked on site full time to ensure a successful handover and to maximise training and final building tuning. Hutchies also streamlined communication by promptly addressing any questions in person, bypassing the regular Request for Information (RFI) process to maintain the tight delivery timeframe. To expedite delivery, additional Hutchies’ site people were assigned to manage each separable portion as if it were a distinct construction project.

The quality of Hutchinson Builders’ projects is of paramount importance. Our internal quality teams and site management diligently oversee this aspect. Regular site visits by our quality management teams allow them to assess works as they are undertaken and completed to ensure they comply or exceed our own strict standards.

Additionally, our consultant team played a crucial role. They frequently visited the site at key project milestones to evaluate the work completed by Hutchies and our subcontractors. Their goal is to either sign off on the completed work or identify areas that require corrective action. This ensures that the construction aligns with the original design and meets the highest standards.