Cultural and Civic Space Takes Another Step Forward

Lipman Pty Ltd has been appointed to provide Early Contractor Involvement services – expert, practical building advice and input – at the detailed design phase of the Cultural and Civic Space to ensure that all construction requirements and efficiencies are in place ahead of the start of construction.

The Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) services include, but are not limited to:

working collaboratively with the Council’s architect to develop the detailed Design Documents; to fully interrogate the design for buildability, inconsistency, incompleteness or other issues; ensuring the Construction Works are sufficiently designed and documented to enable Council to obtain fixed lump sum pricing for design completion and construction; investigating and reporting on design options, including working collaboratively with Council’s Cost Manager to protect the project budget; to develop a Scope of Works for the Construction Phase.

Last month, Council approved the appointment of consultants to manage the construction, design finalisation and costs of the Cultural and Civic Space Project.

The new building will include a Regional Gallery, Central Library, Regional Museum, multipurpose meeting rooms – one of which that can also be used as the Council Chamber for meetings – a co-working space, shop, café, the Family History Group, function space, the Council customer service area, Council offices and basement car parking.

It will create a vibrant cultural and civic precinct in the heart of Coffs Harbour and will be accessible, inclusive, attractive and welcoming to all.

The new Cultural and Civic Space will:

provide access to cultural opportunities and facilities that are not currently available in Coffs Harbour; create a cultural precinct and cultural tourism opportunities; provide lifelong learning, educational opportunities and improved literacy; increase social wellbeing and connections; bring economic benefit to the region; and help develop a vibrant and active central business district and city centre.

An independent economic assessment has identified a host of benefits to the CBD including financial gains over a 30-year period totalling $57m with 31 on-going jobs. When in operation, it is projected to contribute $2m annually to the Gross Regional Product through support of local businesses.