As part of Government’s commitment to build 100 new schools by 2026, the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is required to manage the design and delivery of new schools, Early Learning Centres (ELCs) and kindergartens for the 2026 school year, with a combined value of $350m. This bundled project, proposed as a fully documented Design and Construct contract, will see the delivery of four Primary Schools, one Secondary College, two ELCs and two Kindergartens, expanding the governments student and childcare capacity. The program of works will, cater for 4,000 students, with master planned capacity across the site of up to 7,000 students.
Johnstaff was engaged by VSBA to provide Project Management and Superintendent services. Given Johnstaff’s extensive experience with VSBA delivering bundled school roll-outs, our team made an immediate impact for the Client by navigating site conditions associated with new greenfield communities. In addition, the Department of Education will commence operating ELC’s for the first time in 2026, which has presented a stakeholder environment requiring proactive management in the development of the design, to define the level of integration with the adjacent primary schools.
With immovable deadlines for the schools to be operationally ready for the beginning of the 2026 school year, the Johnstaff team progressed the design in parallel with the site acquisition processes. We led an agile team that adapted as site information became available. For example, we fast tracked master plan re-designs to accommodate new code requirements for schools within Bushfire Protection Area overlays. We astutely managed site risks by accelerating site investigations prior to formal land acquisition, which revealed important information on cultural heritage and ground conditions and providing the team time to propose and develop alternative design solutions.
Budget constraints and challenging site conditions addressed with staging, options and bundled procurement solutions
First Early Learning Centre designed, built and operated by the Department of Education
Design and Tendering phases delivered on time
The program of works will cater for 4,000 students initially, with master planned capacity identified for 7,000
We used a fast-tracked Design and Construct procurement methodology to achieve procurement objectives and the desired risk allocation
