Supporting one of Australia’s largest community organisations
At a glance
We’ve collaborated with Addison Road Community Organisation (Addi Road) to develop a comprehensive asset management plan for its heritage-listed site in Sydney’s inner-west. Through our pro-bono work on this project, we’ve helped Addi Road enhance its understanding of the condition of the buildings on its site so that it can continue to create lasting benefit for the community.
The challenge
Addi Road is Australia’s largest community centre, supporting thousands of people each year through its human rights, arts and culture, and sustainability programs. The organisation operates and maintains 3.5 hectares of Crown land that is home to over 40 local artists and community-oriented organisations. As a former army depot dating back to World War I, Addi Road is responsible for maintaining dozens of heritage-listed buildings, many of which were not intended for long-term use.
Our response
We provided pro-bono support to Addi Road to enhance its understanding of the condition of the buildings on its site. Our support included:
- A comprehensive asset management plan: Our multidisciplinary team of 15 people, including a project manager, electrical, civil and structural engineers and building specialists, developed a detailed plan of the heritage site. It outlines the site’s assets, existing data, recent works, and high-level recommendations for necessary improvements. It also highlights priority works to mitigate any safety and operational hazards on site.
- Digital GIS platform: We developed a geographic information system (GIS) platform to visually display the outcomes of site assessments. This functional tool supports Addi Road to make informed decisions about future improvement works.
- Technical memo: The technical memo details the scope of recommended works with cost estimates to support Addi Road’s funding submissions and business case to the New South Wales Government.
- Resolving flooding issues: We also addressed a long-standing flooding issue impacting Addi Road’s food relief operations.
The impact
Our support has enabled Addi Road to adopt a more strategic approach to site management so that it can continue to deliver essential community programs. Our contributions have helped Addi Road:
- Understand the current condition of its assets
- Make informed management, maintenance and upgrade decisions
- Incorporate sustainable solutions in asset management
- Improve decision-making for future site improvements
- Streamline funding applications to address current challenges
Through our dedicated efforts, Addi Road has secured an AUD1 million funding grant to restore Hut 8, the site’s historic World War I drill hall. Being in a critical structural condition, the building’s restoration is a priority for both its heritage significance and the community it serves.
We continue to provide pro-bono project management and technical support to Addi Road, assisting with the successful implementation of the asset management plan and GIS platform. By creating sustainable and impactful solutions, we’ve been able to demonstrate how strategic asset management can support community organisations to manage and improve their assets for lasting benefit.
GHD’s support has provided us with a structured framework that we can use to improve regulatory compliance, reliability, cost savings, long-term use integrity, best business practice and most importantly eligibility for much needed federal funding for our ageing infrastructure. We now know exactly what is needed to refurbish this culturally significant patch of Crown land where the magic happens.”