CPB Contractors’ delivery of the first stage of the NSW Government’s Nepean Hospital Redevelopment was recently awarded the Commercial Construction Award at the Australian Institute of Building’s 2023 Professional Excellence in Building Awards.
The award recognises the project’s outstanding achievements in collaboration and sustainability — notably how the project created jobs and training opportunities, supported local businesses and reduced the environmental impact of construction.
A collaborative culture underpinned the successful delivery of the project and was established through different initiatives.
All project staff — including CPB Contractors, Health Infrastructure, Turner & Townsend and redevelopment staff from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District — were co-located into one office complex.
The delivery teams involved in the project prioritised the adoption of a ‘hospital first’ mentality.
In addition, a two-way collaboration process was implemented in order to minimise disruptions and build an understanding of both the project and the existing hospital requirements.
With more than 35 per cent of the project’s workforce hailing from the Greater Western Sydney region, CPB Contractors’ delivery of the Stage 1 project achieved a number of positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
CPB Contractors delivered a skill and mentorship program, providing career pathways to local Indigenous Australian Year 10 students with the desire to learn the construction trade.
10 local Indigenous high school students participated in the program, with students completing a Certificate II in Construction Pathways while completing their Higher School Certificate.
The company also worked with more than 15 local businesses during the construction of the Stage 1 project.
Western Sydney businesses and suppliers were engaged across various areas — including joinery, electrical, landscaping, plant hire and bricklaying.
The project team undertook advanced geotechnical testing, soil sampling and inground services investigations during its Early Contractor Involvement phase.
These investigations resulted in early access for services diversions, identification of a borrow pit strategy for solid waste, and reduced risk of damage to live inground services, mitigating disruption risk to hospital operations.
Collaborating closely with stakeholders, the project team managed disruptive works and minimised the impact patients, staff members and the community.
The initiatives taken include acoustic hoarding, testing and monitoring to minimise noise impacts to the childcare centre adjacent to the site — which ensured safe pedestrian and vehicular access to the hospital — and a community engagement campaign during the planning and design phase.
CPB Contractors’ delivery of the project involved the construction of a new 14-storey hospital tower with a temporary and permanent link bridge connecting the tower to the existing hospital.
Works on the project also included a new emergency department, birthing unit, day of surgery admission and endoscopy unit, operating theatres, sterile services department, coronary care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, in-patient units, plant rooms, and a helicopter landing site.
Following the successful delivery of the Stage 1 project, it has been announced that CPB will develop the second stage of the expansion and upgrade of Nepean Hospital.
