New $4.5 million office for two regional Territory councils complete in Alice Springs
The project saw more than 80 workers employed, including 15 apprentices.
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TWO Central Australian regional councils have welcomed the completion of a new $4.5 million office in Alice Springs, which employed more than 80 workers during the build.
The new office for Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) and MacDonnell Regional Council (MRC) was officially opened on Thursday by Gwoja MLA Chanston Paech and includes an expansion with a second story on the existing ground floor office.
Designed by Central Australian architect practice Susan Dugdale Associates, the building was constructed and project managed by MPH Projects, a well-known Central Australian construction company, who successfully tendered for the project.
MPH Projects used the services of 29 Alice Springs-based contractors in the build, with over 80 workers employed, including 15 apprentices.
MPH Projects sourced 79 per cent of all materials, as determined by value, from 37 local suppliers. The majority of products sourced non-locally were not available in Alice Springs.
In striving towards both Council’s objective of increasing Aboriginal employment opportunities through tendered contracts, 3241 hours of Aboriginal employment was achieved during the office redevelopment.
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For this building project, the joint owners of the buildings on the Bagot St site, CDRC and MRC received a grant of $1.5 million from the Northern Territory Government Strategic Local Government Infrastructure Fund (SLGIF) to expand on office space.
CDRC and MRC allocated $1.5 million each, a contribution of one third from all parties.
The new facility also includes an updated Council Chambers providing a space for formal decision making processes.
CEO CDRC Diane Hood said there is mutual benefit to both MRC and CDRC of the refit and it is a great example of the sharing of resources and infrastructure.
“Refreshing our shared asset has been worthwhile and demonstrates the close working relationship that both our Councils enjoy.”
MRC CEO Jeff MacLeod said he was proud that the project provided a boost to the local economy through the construction and supply industries.
“It is fantastic that the construction of such a great building could support local businesses and the families they support in such uncertain times during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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