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IWC HEALTH & WELLBEING COMPLEX TAKES OUT 3 MORE AWARDS

THREE more awards relating to the IWC Health & Wellbeing Complex in Bundaberg have been announced at the 2020 Master Builders Wide Bay Burnett Housing & Construction Awards on 7 August.

Wayne Kleidon of WK Projects was the Construction Manager of the IWC $19.8 million Stage 2 construction project officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in October 2019.

The project was supported by $7.4 million from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), with the remainder co-funded by IWC, an Aboriginal community-controlled Not-for-Profit.

WK Projects was recognised at the Master Builders’ awards in three categories:

  • Health Facilities up to $20 Million Award
  • Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Management Award
  • Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Award

Mr Kleidon said the Excellence in WHS Award reflected the exemplary safety record attached to the construction of both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Complex.

“We have not had a single workplace injury during both major builds, which together have been valued at more than $30 million and run over a number of years,” he said. “The reflects the quality of our WHS systems and processes, and a commitment to ensure the construction work is consistently done well, delivered safely and without compromising worker’s health and wellbeing.”

WK Projects was praised by the judges for its inclusion of input from Traditional Owner / Elders of the region, and for the use of best-practice energy efficiencies and water management in delivering the major community project.

Mr Kleidon said: “Building 2 at the IWC Health & Wellbeing Complex has been constructed as a seamless addition to the award-winning Stage 1, delivering best-practice energy efficiencies and water management.

“These include a solar power installation, tinted window glazing to deliver maximum light and support air-conditioning conditioning efficiencies, LED and motion-sensor lighting, and auto cut-off of air-conditioning in empty areas. We also have installed a major underground stormwater management system and drip-watering in the native-plant gardens.

“The complex is delivering best-practice environmental management with cost-management benefits, which are particularly important for a Not-for-Profit such as IWC as it works to make every dollar count for the good of our communities.”

In 2015, Mr Kleidon’s company won the Community Services Facilities over $5 Million Award in the regional round of the Queensland Master Builders Housing and Construction Awards. It was presented for the construction of the $10.5 million Stage 1 of the IWC complex.

“We welcome these awards, and the opportunities to work within a progressive, forward-thinking organisation that is working to build capacity and support local jobs in our communities,” said Mr Kleidon

IWC General Manager Wayne Mulvany said: “WK Projects has partnered with IWC on both Stages 1 and 2 of the ground-breaking IWC Health & Wellbeing Complex, and this recognition of the exceptional work being delivered by a leading local construction company is welcomed.”

IWC is non-government, Aboriginal community-controlled and a Registered Charity, offering services and programs to all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, without barriers or discrimination.

The partnership with IWC is continuing, with WK Projects delivering the $2.43 million IWC North Burnett Health & Wellbeing Community Centre on track to open in 2021.

“Wayne Kleidon has worked within the IWC project management model to deliver both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Health & Wellbeing Complex – both major, essential developments – on time and on budget. We value his company’s commitment to professionalism and excellence at all levels,” said Mr Mulvany.

The Stage 2 construction project also took out another important award this year – the Premier’s Award in the 2020 Queensland Reconciliation Awards.

IWC CEO Ara Harathunian said: “The screens project was a much-needed cultural addition to the region, and has brought truth and honesty into the conversation around Reconciliation in Action across our communities.”

In 2015, Stage 1 of the Complex also won the state award in the Queensland Building Design Awards for the Best Commercial Building over $5 million.