Fairbrother National Awards Winners 2009

19 November 2009

Fairbrother Pty Ltd has been recognised and rewarded on the national stage winning the National Civil Infrastructure Award under $25M and the National Public Buildings Award under $5M at the annual National MBA Awards for Excellence.

The Awards were presented on evening Saturday evening (July 7) before some 1000 guests at Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast, attended by political and business leaders and members of the Master Builders Association from around the country.

National Civil Infrastructure Award under $25M

Fairbrother Pty Ltd continued their success at the State Awards entering the awe-inspiring Pit Maintenance Facility on Tasmania’s rugged west coast. Due to the then demand for iron ore, Grange Resources required a new pit maintenance facility at their open cut mine at Savage River. The project involved the construction of a number of structures including two 17m high buildings to provide workshop, stores, offices and refuelling facilities. In addition, the project also called for the construction of a large concrete hydrocarbon separator pit to meet stringent environmental conditions.

Fairbrother Pty Ltd General Manager, Peter Killick said, “this large scale project was particularly difficult to complete due to the ongoing continual operational status of the mine during the building process.

He continued, “Our employees and Shaw Contracting did a marvellous job satisfying all OH&S requirements of a fully operational mine whilst also dealing with Tasmanian’s diverse west coast weather. The project ultimately had to be completed in conditions that ranged from snow to bushfires”.

National Public Buildings Award under $5M

The refurbishment of Parliament House, House of Assembly was also added to Fairbrother Pty Ltd’s trophy collection. This refurbishment was undertaken with the dual objectives of reinstating the historic integrity while upgrading facilities to the 21st century.

The parameters of the work were set by a detailed conservation management plan carried out by conservation architects. The plan required that the layers of history still evident in the Chamber and related spaces should be maintained and interpreted. Alterations carried out in the 70's were stripped away to reinstate the Art Deco vision of the original architect. At the same time 21st century needs had to be met offering better seating, improved ergonomic design and space to support new technologies. The project involved installation of new flooring and a new ceiling in the Chamber and a new section of roofing on Parliament House, as well as the highest quality of timber joinery work.

Mr Killick said, “Fairbrother fought hard to secure this iconic project as it was an excellent opportunity to showcase the quality and expertise of the company’s joinery and construction divisions”.

Mr Killick stated, “The quality of workmanship and detail of craftsmanship is evident throughout the entire project ultimately creating this fantastic new facility”.

Mr Killick concluded, “Fairbrother Pty Ltd is honoured to receive these national awards and is proof the company continues to deliver quality projects for both clients and the people of Tasmania”.

MBT Executive Director, Mr Michael Kerschbaum said “The National MBA Awards for Excellence gives our members the opportunity to demonstrate the highest quality of works in their projects, setting a standard for the rest of the industry to aspire to”.

He added, “The Tasmanian building and construction industry has long had a reputation of building excellence in Australia, and this result is a true reflection of that fact”.

Mr Kerschbaum concluded “These two projects capped off another stellar year for the Tasmanian building giant and we look forward to next year’s competition”.

Pit maintenance facility