Retail Boost For Toowoomba - Hutchinson Builders Style.pdf

Overview:
Hutchinson Builders completed the $17 million Northpoint Shopping Centre in Toowoomba, QLD, in March 2014. The project features a two-level centre with Coles as an anchor tenant, medical centre, pathology, chemist, newsagent, and twenty specialty shops.

Key Features & Challenges:
- Structural Design: The upper level extends over the ground floor by a third, creating deep shade and allowing extensive glazing. Suspended slabs were constructed for the first floor.
- Earthworks & Foundations: Two levels of bulk earthworks, including a basement, ground floor, and carpark were completed with foundations, tilt panels, and structural steel for Coles box erected.
- Carpark & Landscape: Approximately 5,000m2 of carparking for 300 cars was constructed with half sealed with asphalt and half as concrete. Citygreen Structural soil modules were installed under the asphalt to allow mature trees to grow without interference.
- Stormwater Management: A robust three-cell rainwater collection system and bioretention area were installed to handle heavy rain events. Spoon drains were constructed for challenging areas at the rear of the main building's services area.
- Sustainability: The project includes cycling parking, end-of-trip facilities, and separate external amenities blocks with lockers and showers.
- Fire Safety: Fire shutters were installed in Coles, and a combined sprinkler and hydrant system was refined for the whole centre.

Construction & Logistics:
- Team: Hutchinson Builders had 6 full-time staff on site, plus 10 from their plumbing division working on hydraulics and gas installation. Peak workforce reached 80-100 people daily during Coles fitout.
- Quality Control: Attention to detail was crucial due to the high standard of finish required. NATA-accredited testing ensured perfect coloured concrete mixes for exposed polished concrete areas.

Deliverables & Impact:
The project delivers a well-established, high-quality shopping centre with mature landscaping, filling a much-needed gap in Toowoomba's retail network. Hutchinson Builders' commitment to teamwork, safety, and continuous development sets them apart, as demonstrated by their multi-million dollar projects across Queensland and Tasmania.