Probuild Constructions awarded re-development contract

After a lengthy tender process, Bendigo Bank has announced that Probuild Constructions has been awarded the contract to construct its new Head Office building in Bath Lane, Bendigo.

Bendigo Bank Managing Director Rob Hunt said a component of the contract ensures that Probuild Constructions utilises, where practicable, local contractors during the construction, providing a multi-million dollar boost for the local economy.

Rob Hunt and Probuild Constructions Director Ted Yencken signed contracts in Bendigo today, signalling the beginning of work.

Workers will begin on the Bath Lane site from 22 August 2005 with Stage One expected to be completed by early 2007 and the total development completed by early to mid-2008.

Probuild Constructions was one of five companies to tender for the $75 million project.

Bendigo Bank Managing Director Rob Hunt said that after much discussion and planning, the signing of Probuild Constructions signalled the beginning of a new era for Bendigo Bank and the Bendigo community.

“From the very beginning, we set out very specific guidelines in terms of this Head Office development which, importantly, is not only the development of an office building, but the construction of a new precinct,” Mr Hunt said.

“We will be reshaping the Charing Cross/Bath Lane precinct to create a community meeting place with new laneways and thoroughfares, great shopping, restaurants and cafes.

“Our focus has always been on developing a state-of-the-art working environment for staff and, at the same time, opening up the area to provide a lively public square for the people of Bendigo to enjoy.

“Ted Yencken and his team at Probuild Constructions understand the importance of this development to the City of Bendigo and are committed to working with us in ensuring that this building sets a benchmark for future developments not only in regional Victoria, but regional Australia,” Mr Hunt said.

Probuild Constructions is a Melbourne-based firm which has a proven track record for the delivery of complex, high quality projects on time and within budget.

The company has been named Victoria’s Master Builder of the Year for three years out of the past seven.

Projects within the company’s portfolio include The Age Print Centre, Knox City Shopping Centre and TarraWarra Museum of Art.

Mr Yencken said the overall project strategy ensures that Bendigo-based and regional suppliers and sub-contractors are provided with opportunities to tender for relevant work, subject to Probuild’s usual assessment of capacity, experience and commercial issues.

“We are currently in discussion with a number of subcontractors about their ability to undertake the works,” he said.

“We also expect that, while the majority of our senior project management team members will be sourced from our current Melbourne-based resources, up to 50 per cent of our direct wages employees may be sourced from the Bendigo area to provide a number of on-site services to us.

“We will, through our sub-contract tender processes, encourage our sub-contractors to include similar policies in their dealings with their sub-subcontractors and suppliers in an effort to maximise local input and involvement.

“The project will, at its peak, require an on-site workforce of between 250 and 300 people.

“Based upon our previous experience, and given the multiplier effect applicable to major construction works, we anticipate that up to four or five times this number will be involved in off-site design, prefabrication, manufacturing, transport, storage and other related activities,” Mr Yencken said.

Mr Hunt said he was pleased with Probuild Constructions’ commitment to use local companies where possible but understands that sometimes locals may not have the capacity, equipment or skills to complete every job required.

“This is a large and exciting development for the City and the Bendigo Bank Group of companies,” Mr Hunt said.

About the Bendigo Bank development

• Confirm Bendigo Bank’s status as Australia’s only regionally headquartered bank.
• A $75 million project.
• Consolidate existing 650 Bendigo-based staff in the one building (currently spread across five buildings)
• More than 3,000 square metres of public space including a new public square and a boardwalk across Bendigo Creek.
• The head office complex will consist of a three-staged building comprising the current Fountain Court building and two new buildings. Fountain Court and the new buildings will be linked by a ‘skywalk’.
• The new buildings will feature state-of-the art ecologically sustainable building initiatives, fixed external screens combined with a high performance double glazed façade.
• Bendigo Bank is working with traders in Fountain Court and Bath Lane to ensure minimum disruption during the construction phase.

About Probuild Constructions

Melbourne-based company.

High profile projects completed include:

• The Age Print Centre
• Chadstone and Knox City Shopping Centres
• TarraWarra Museum of Art

Current Victorian projects include:

• Toorak Place Residential development
• Corio Village Shopping Centre
• Highpoint Shopping Centre
• x_change@swinburne, Hawthorn Campus