IT project management

Case Study – Glenn Smith – June 2020

PROJ 6004 Case Study – Bowen Terrace

Context: Jan 2020

Due to a shortage of suitable local accommodation in Brisbane, Torrens University is

expanding student services to include high rise rental accommodation for up to two

hundred students studying at the Bowen Terrace Campus site. A site has been selected

behind the Brisbane campus building which is currently an underutilized commercial

Wilsons Car Park facility, Martin Street, Fortitude Valley.

Seeking to commence an intake of students for T1 2023 (36 months planning/build time)

it recognizes that this build process would need to be accelerated as traditional estimates

reveal such a project should have a project life cycle (PLC) of at least 48 months. Given

the short PLC Torrens has been in negotiation with a number of design & construct

building companies with the primary selection focus being on Design, Time, Cost and

Quality.

Site

The site is situated across from the Fortitude Valley Fire Station, the key fire response

center for Brisbane as well as being on the edge of the Brisbane entertainment precinct

known for it’s large crowds and popular night clubs. There is also a train station nearby in

Fortitude Valley, as well as supermarkets and specialty shops. The proposed site is a

fifteen minute walk to the Brisbane CBD. The iconic Storey Bridge is a three minute

walk from the proposed site.

In order to satisfy the requirement the building will be constructed 12 stories above

ground with the ground floor comprised of a considerable communal leisure area, large

40 station sponsored internet café, office/reception and laundry facilities. There will be

two floors underground with resident parking for fifty vehicles. The accommodation

floors will be made up of single and double room combinations housing twenty students

per floor.

Each unit will average out as providing 20m2 of livable space per student comprised of a

bed, wardrobe, ensuite, kitchenette and writing desk. Each room will be air conditioned,

contain data points, television and fridge.

Traffic in Martin Street is constant and rated as busy due to the access to the Storey

Bridge and southern suburbs.

Budget

The budget for the building is set as a maximum of $35M, a little below market

expectations for similar projects given the proposed location.

Case Study – Glenn Smith – June 2020

Management

Management of the project will be through a Project Management Contractor reporting

directly to the Sydney Head Office. No local management will be used.

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