CLRS purchased a block of land at 32 Barry Street Echuca, in October 2019. This land was assessed as meeting the criteria for new project development, with particular focus on proximity to the CBD, transport and access to services, along with meeting the land size criteria of approximately 1000m2.
This land was purchased before the construction of the Opening Doors Project at Maiden Street in Moama was completed. This occurred because the Maiden Street project identified that there was demand for single unit dwellings for people with disability.
For this project CLRS engaged EDG Projects Australia (known then as Edg Space) to complete the design and for the first time brought in an external project management company, Cerno, to deliver the project.
In August 2021 Bourke Builders were appointed as the builder and construction commenced in September 2021.
We also worked with J2 Creative to capture the process and progress of this project as it was being completed during significant COVID restrictions and requirements.
CLRS again appointed a project control group which consisted of:
Leanne Willis – Board member
Leah Taaffe – CEO
Rosemary Hermans – CLRS Residential Services Manager
Kylie Bruns – CLRS Finance Manager
Damien Hogan – CLRS Maintenance & Property Coordinator
Our Barry Street Opening Doors Project was officially opened in June 2022. This build enables 4 adults with disability to live independently in their community.
The total project cost was estimated at just over $1.6 million, consisting of:
Land purchase: $275000
Construction: $1,200,000
Project Design & Management: $130,000
CLRS had access to $900,000 through fundraising, cash reserves and SDA income leaving $700,000 to be raised through further financial and fundraising initiatives.
With COVID continuing to have an impact we were unable to do our usual fundraising activities. Johnno’s Run happened as virtual events locally in 2020 and 2021, and no fundraising dinners were held in 2021 and 2022. Instead of the dinner we held a Mega Draw in 2021, which raised $44,500 and a car raffle in 2022, which raised $56,000.
This meant that CLRS had to use cash reserves to pay the costs associated with the project and planned to use future years fundraising income to recoup the cost of the project.
For this project CLRS engaged local building design firm, EDG Projects Australia, known then as EDG Space.
We also decide to engage the expertise of a project management firm and as a result Cerno were appointed as Project Managers. The decision to engage a project manager was driven by lessons learned in the prior projects, which identified that having dedicated experienced project management could prevent delays, reduce risk and provide essential input to the project.
The design of this project was quite different to the previous three projects. This project was being built for people whose independence would be supported by a quiet, relaxed environment with space that could absorb noise and manage some knocks to walls. It was also designed so that there were carers rooms attached to two of the units, therefore available to support all 4 people if required.
Key Design Features
Bourke Builders, a long-standing local firm, won the tender, and construction commenced in September 2021 and was completed in March 2022.
The Barry Street development was started and completed throughout the significant impact of COVID 19, including border closures, supply issues and shut down periods.
Despite the impact of COVID, the project was completed in the shortest timeframe yet for an Opening Doors Project and with the least number of challenges. This was thanks to the oversight of Cerno, the excellent design from EDG and the quality of the work of Bourke Builders.
The official opening was held in June 2022, and we were delighted to be able to host our local community to see the fantastic build. The clients then swiftly moved into their units.
Three of the four people who moved in had previously lived with others and had staff support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The fourth person had been living at home, and this was his first time living independently of his family.
The opportunity to live independently has enabled each of these participants, and their families, to live the life they choose.
