Building Industry News

Pluim wins church school contracts

West Gosford based builder, Pluim Projects has won the contract to build a new church complex for the Central Coast Evangelical Church on Terrigal Drive, Erina. The project is to be built in two stages with Stage 1 being a 2,000sqm Multi-purpose Hall with a contract value of $2.6 million.

The two-level concrete and steel framed building will be largely built using precast concrete panels manufactured by North Wyong precast company, Amarcon, who will also produce the steel framing. Project Manager, Andrew Heenan said using this type of construction the project will be completed by Christmas 2009. Terrigal Drive road works, civil works and car parks were carried out by Peter Brown Plumbing.

The second stage of the project will be a 900-seat auditorium, which was approved as part of the whole project. The project design was carried out by Sydney architects, Dimidium Design Group.

Pluim Projects has also won the contract to build Stage 7 of the Central Coast Adventist School’s Performing and Industrial Arts Building at Erina. The $3.6 million contract is for a two-level building with a total area of about 2,400 sqm. The contract comes after Pluim completed Stage 6, a three-level primary classroom building in November last year.

Project Manager, Scott Allen said that Pluim Group had also won a $1.2 million contract known as Stage 7a to be started later in the year. Mr Allen said that there is currently good enquiry from private schools for major projects as the Federal Government’s Stimulus Package approves funding for projects. Central Coast builders are expected to do well out of this initiative by the Government.

Erina developer’s bold $40 million investment in tourism

Construction has begun on a new $40 million five-star luxury destination spa and hotel to be built adjacent to The Vintage Golf Club at Rothbury in the Hunter Valley.

The Chateau Elan Hunter Valley is a joint venture between leading NSW development firm, Erina-based Stevens Group, and American entrepreneurs Don and Nancy Panoz. The Panoz’s are the founders and owners of the US based Chateau Elan Hotels and Resorts. John Stevens, Director of Stevens Group, said this project is a bold investment in tough economic times, but underlines the strength of the local industry and their confidence that this is the right product for today’s discerning luxury travel market.

Mr Stevens said the destination spa resort will deliver a major boost to luxury tourism in the Hunter. It will feature 18 state-of-the-art treatment rooms, 20 spa accommodation suites discreetly connected to the spa treatment areas, as well as a separate complex of 40 self-contained dual key, two-bedroom spa villas – each with its own kitchen, fireplace, spa and stunning views of the Greg Norman designed golf course. “This prestigious resort will marry the unparalleled luxury and hospitality of America’s Chateau Elan brand with the beauty of the Hunter Valley – one of the state’s most treasured destinations,” said Mr Stevens.

In a boost for the local economy, construction is being undertaken by Kingston Building Australia and is expected to create between 90 and 150 jobs during construction. Mr Stevens expects the spa to be open by the end of the year. He said there will be a further and much-needed local employment boost of between 80 and 100 new permanent or part-time positions being offered across the spa resort and The Vintage Golf Club in 2010.

Mr Panoz said he has absolute confidence in the long-term success of the project, despite the current financial climate. He sees the resort bringing a new type of tourist to the region. “The Spa will serve discerning consumers who place a premium on their wellbeing and value privacy and quality,” Mr Panoz said.

“The Chateau Elan Hunter Valley will rival any of the world’s first class resorts. Spa treatments will combine traditional therapies with western health philosophies in a setting of complete luxury,” he said. The Spa at Chateau Elan Atlanta, Georgia has been named several times as one of the world’s top four spas by The New York Times.

Future stages in the development will include the addition of outdoor entertainment and concert facilities, conference facilities and further hotel accommodation.

Back Send us your comments