Indigenous company helps repair former Prince Henry site

Redfern-based construction management company NPM Indigenous has been awarded a contract as part of a $1.135 million NSW Government upgrade to the former Prince Henry Hospital site and surrounding area at Little Bay under the COVID-19 stimulus program.

NPM Indigenous will undertake roof, window, door and floor repairs at Jarrah House and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council building as part of the work being funded by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Crown Lands.

Further tenders are being called for maintenance upgrades to heritage listed structures including the Surf Lifesaving Building, the Nurses War Memorial Chapel, The Coast Centre for Seniors, Henry’s Trading Post, the Clock tower, and the Pine Avenue retaining wall.

NPM Indigenous construction manager Daniel Russo said securing a contract was the latest win for the company that has grown in capacity following its successful work on the NSW Government’s showground safety upgrade program.

“The showground safety upgrade program had a big impact by opening up our trade base regionally and also giving us the opportunity to offer jobs regionally to locals,” Mr Russo said.

“We have been doing work for the Aboriginal Housing Office for refurbishments in Queanbeyan and Albion Park, just finished a housing project in Toronto to install four dwellings, and have been building amenities for Lend Lease at Barangaroo.

“This latest contract for the Prince Henry maintenance project is welcome and will hopefully lead to more government work.

“We recently had our prequalified status for NSW Government contracts increased from up to $1 million to between $1 million and $9 million, and we could be looking at turnover this year of $10 million.”

The former Prince Henry site is listed on the State Heritage Register and has buildings as well as landscape, Aboriginal and archaeological elements that are of significance so maintenance on this site is important.

It also provides green open space with sweeping ocean views that contribute to the setting of its heritage buildings and its significance to the local community.

Upgrade work for the former Prince Henry site

• Surf Lifesaving Building: repairs to external surfaces including repointing of brickwork; repairs to timber elements and windows; new flashing and seals; repairs to roofing and gutters; removal of vegetation impacting the building; painting as necessary. Internal repairs include sealing and painting of brickwork; and mould removal and treatment.
• Jarrah House: repairs to a linked walkway structure; repairs to the roof and ceiling; repairs of an awning structure and associated ground works.
• Nurses War Memorial Chapel: repairs to the stained-glass feature window including replacement of some stained-glass elements, framing and sealing.
• Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council: fixing of water leaks in the main atrium and first floor office; installation of a new roof access hatch.
• The Coast Centre for Seniors: repairs to external surfaces including rendering and painting; waterproofing of the veranda area; repairs to the roof; and replacement of the louvered window system on the veranda area.
• Henry’s Trading Post: removal of external lead paint; repairs to external cladding, windows, handrails, brick piers and stormwater drainage.
• Pine Avenue retaining wall: minor maintenance works on the retaining wall and ongoing monitoring.
• Clock tower: work to repair the internal clock mechanism and provision of electricity supply to have the clock face returned to operation.