CSU, Port Macquarie: Lahey’s construction wins nationally recognised award
Kempsey construction firm Lahey Constructions has outshone a reputable list of nationally recognised competitors to take out three coveted awards at this year's Australian Institute of Building awards.
Mid-North Coast
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A Mid-North Coast construction company behind the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Port Macquarie's Charles Sturt University campus has been awarded for its outstanding achievement on the project.
Kempsey company Lahey Constructions collected awards in three different building categories at the Australian Institute of Building's (AIB) NSW Professional Excellence in Building Awards this month.
The company, who was behind the massive two-stage redevelopment of the Charles Sturt campus, won a highly commended in the Commercial Construction $25 to $60 million category, a highly commended in the new sustainability award, and were voted the winner of the coveted People’s Choice Award.
The People's choice category was undertaken on social media, where the voting public were asked to like a selection of finalist projects on the AIB's page. The most number of likes, which went to Lahey, won.
Lahey’s were the only non-Sydney based firm to be nominated as finalists for the AIB People's Choice award.
Charles Sturt University Project Officer Neal Molineaux said the Stage 2A/2B project, which was opened earlier this year, was one of the most professionally and successfully delivered projects at Charles Sturt.
“What is seen onsite today is nothing short of excellence, excellence that not only Bill and the extended Lahey team should be extremely proud of, but also your dedicated team of reliable subcontractors and suppliers,” he said.
Lahey stalwart Bill Maley added the awards stood as a testimony to the fantastic work and support contributed by the many local subcontractors, tradespeople, and suppliers who helped complete the project.
“Lahey is extremely honoured to win these awards, yet it must be remembered that construction companies are only as good as the teams they collaborate with,” Mr Maley said.
“We had a host of talented people to work with and give special thanks to not only Charles Sturt, Savills, and BVN Architecture, but every single tradie we worked with – these awards are yours, too."
Earlier
Leading university design looks to land lucrative award
September 7, 2021
A $100 million expansion project of Port Macquarie’s Charles Sturt University complex could land local construction company Lahey a nationally recognised award from the Australian Institute of Building.
The Kempsey construction firm is currently leading the tally for the most likes on the AIB’s Facebook page for the incredible stage 2a and b build at Charles Sturt. The project was nominated for the People’s Choice award alongside 12 other nationally-based finalists.
The Charles Sturt expansion project was completed earlier this year with the assistance of BVN Architecture and Savills Australia.
The two new buildings will enable the campus to triple its student intake from 1000 to 2800 people, making it Australia’s largest regional international university campus.
Voting for the People’s Choice award is currently underway on Facebook, with the AIB closing nominations today at 4pm.
Matt Fearnley, construction and services manager for Lahey Constructions, said the Charles Sturt project was a significant achievement for the Kempsey company, and to be recognised alongside other major construction projects such as Sydney’s David Jones Elizabeth St store redevelopment, the Aqualuna project and the Dee Why Lighthouse, was a big thrill.
“This project was built during the fires and flood,” Mr Fearnley said.
“A lot of our workforce were actually hit hard during the fires and floods, and what they’ve delivered up there is just amazing.
“I had a bloke on that job who had worked for 50 years for Lahey and that was his last job, it’s going to mean a lot to win this award.”
The stage two development, which was funded by the NSW government and Charles Sturt and built over 6300sq m, reaffirms the university’s commitment to its clean energy strategy and sustainability practices, with all roofs featuring solar arrays.
The bulk of the 2a building contains staff offices, science laboratories, small lecture rooms as well as a gym.
Discussions are in place with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to develop walking and cycling paths through bushland around Stage Two to support the community’s connection with the emerging health and education precinct.
Stage 2b, which includes the Port Macquarie International Education Centre, a NSW Emergency Services training room, an Innovation Hub, and student support and amenity services, was completed and opened earlier this year.
Lahey’s is the only non-Sydney based firm who have been nominated as finalists for the AIB award.
Mr Fearnley said the company has more than 70 years experience in construction across the Mid-North Coast.
“We’ve been in the region for 70 years and we try and promote the region as hard as we can,” he said.
“We’re a Kempsey based company but our staff come from Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Taree, Bowraville, Nambucca, we’ve got a couple from South West Rocks and Coffs.
“We’ve got to support the region that started Lahey.
“Charles Sturt Uni will be the place where a lot of our staff’s kids will actually go to, so it’s really good for us to be able to invest in it.
“It’s a five star, green star equivalent project that during all the fire and floods the client Charles Sturt and Savilles where that cooperative to work with by there understanding of the region and how hard it was for people working on that job, so it was a real collaborative build and a really good thing to be proud of.”
Project voting closes at 4pm on Tuesday. Head here to vote for the stage two development on the AIB’s People’s Choice Facebook voting post.
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