Bennett Robertson Builders wins tender to rebuild Rappville Hall after 2019 bushfires
A devastating bushfire ripped through the heart of this village in October 2019, and now a big step has been taken to help heal the community.
Lismore
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A Richmond Valley-based business has won the construction tender to rebuild the Rappville Community Hall after the devastating 2019 bushfires.
The council awarded the tender to Bennett Robertson Builders at its meeting on Tuesday.
Work is expected to start construction next month, and should be finished by April 2022.
The original hall was destroyed during the devastating Busbys Flat Road bushfire in October 2019.
The council’s general manager, Vaughan Macdonald, said rebuilding the hall had been one of the council’s first priorities in the aftermath of the destructive blaze.
“From day one the hall was obviously a key focus of our rebuilding efforts, and the consensus was to deliver something more inspiring than simply an updated replica of the original building,” he said.
“Council assessed the site and its surrounds and ensured community ideas and inspiration for the new facility were fed into the design process.”
Mr Macdonald said the council received support toward the project from a $1.4 million bushfire recovery grant from the Federal Government, of which $500,000 was allocated to the hall rebuild.
Additional funding and expert assistance was received from BizRebuild, a not-for-profit disaster recovery initiative of the Business Council of Australia, which contributed an another $500,000.
“BizRebuild also put council in touch with award-winning architect Virginia Kerridge and structural engineer Phil Wallace, who designed the new hall, and landscape architect Jane Irwin,” Mr Macdonald said.
The plans include a spacious hall, outdoor deck, with an additional building featuring a communal kitchen and supper room, along with a covered outdoor dining area, and storage and amenities areas.
As part of the project, the council purchased Rappville’s St John’s Anglican Church and surrounding land from the Anglican Diocese of Grafton.
The council will retain the church but use a portion of the surrounding land for the new hall.
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