Berninneit, Cowes. The story so far...
Media Release
About the Project
The redevelopment of the former Cowes cultural and community centre involves replacing the existing centre, to bring together the cultural and social aspirations of the community and draw visitors in to showcase the history and culture of the region. The new facility will encourage a range of community activities and events.
During the construction program, the building will generate 69 jobs and once built, 30 ongoing jobs and it will provide $51.8 million in economic benefit over the life of the project.
In line with Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, this Centre will be built, designed and certified to Passivhaus Standards, making it the most environmentally significant building in the region.
- Window frames installed.
- Glazing complete (except doors/entrance.
- Scaffold removed.
August 2023
- Theatre wall panels in manufacture.
- Ceiling panel installation is nearing completion.
- Ceiling services fit off and painting nearing completion.
- Plaster works nearing completion in this area.
- Door frames installed and door installation ongoing.
- Painting ongoing.
- Remaining capping/flashings installed on the roof this week.
- Function Room, Amenities and Grand Hall Grand hall ceiling pelmets and framing ongoing.
- Tiling to amenities ongoing.
- Back of house sheeting nearing completion.
- Window frame installation complete.
- External glazing complete except for doors/entrances.
- Toilet partition installation ongoing.
- Internal glazing complete.
- Brickwork complete to western elevation.
- Bricks to be cleaned and scaffold to be removed.
- Floor grinding to commence in areas.
- Library and Office Stopping and sanding ongoing.
- Timber panel installation ongoing.
- Balustrades measured and in manufacture.
- Brickwork complete to northern elevation.
July 2023
- Theatre area timber panels in manufacture.
- Stair works nearing completion.
- Scaffold removed.
- Continue services works above stage.
- Plaster works nearing completion in the stage area.
- Door frames installed.
- Function Room, Amenities and Grand Hall ceiling pelmets and framing ongoing.
- Tiling to amenities ongoing.
- Back of house rough in complete and sheeting commenced.
- Mechanical equipment lifted into plant room and fit off commenced.
- Window frame installation complete.
- Glazing commencing.
- Library and Office Services rough in ongoing.
- Ground floor ceilings and partitions ongoing.
- Level 1 ceilings and partitions ongoing.
- Brickwork ongoing to northern elevation.
- Window frame installation nearing completion.
June 2023
- Continuation of panel installation to theatre and stair area.
- Plaster works ongoing throughout.
- Handrail installed to cross lighting bridge and lighting bridges.
- Solar panel installation ongoing.
- Function Room, Amenities and Grand Hall services rough in nearing completion.
- Tiling to amenities ongoing.
- Back of house framing installed and rough-in commenced.
- Wall sheets to plant room complete.
- Preparing to lift mechanical equipment into plant room in coming weeks.
- Window frame installation ongoing.
- Library and Office Services rough in ongoing.
- Ground floor ceilings and partitions ongoing.
- Level 1 ceilings and partitions ongoing.
- Level 1 services rough-in ongoing.
- Framing and insulation to external walls progressing.
- Sub-floor works nearing completion.
- Brickwork ongoing to northern elevation.
- Fire pump installation ongoing.
May 2023
- Theatre area wall framing complete.
- Theatre infill seating complete.
- Plywood to stair nearing complete.
- Stage steel installation ongoing.
- Stage timber framing to commence shortly.
- Brickwork to eastern façade nearing completion.
- Closing opening in eastern wall to commence.
- Function room, amenities and grand hall high level ceilings and insulation ongoing.
- High level services rough in ongoing.
- Sheeting of internal walls and ongoing.
- Waterproofing to plant room to be completed shortly.
- Library and office services rough in ongoing.
- Ground floor ceilings and partitions ongoing.
- Level 1 ceilings and partitions ongoing.
- Level 1 services rough in ongoing.
- Roofing works nearing completion.
- Framing and insulation to external walls progressing.
- Brickwork ongoing to northern elevation.
- Fire pump tank structure complete.
April 2023
- Theatre Area Sheeting of walls ongoing.
- Framing of walls panels commencing.
- CLT seating plats installed. Plywood stair installation is ongoing.
- Airtight and acoustic insulation of roof level and walls ongoing.
- Services rough in ongoing. Brickwork to façade nearing completion.
- Internal insulation and airtight membrane ongoing.
- Function Room, Amenities and Grand Hall High level ceilings and insulation ongoing.
- Sheeting of internal walls ongoing. High level services rough in ongoing.
- Loading dock slabs poured. Back lay of remaining roof sheets complete.
- Library and Office Services rough in ongoing.
- Ground floor ceilings and partitions commenced.
- Level 1 ceilings and partitions commence and services rough in ongoing.
- Roofing works nearing completion.
- Framing and insulation to external walls progressing.
- Brickwork ongoing to northern elevation.
March 2023
- Construction of Stage 1 – Theatre area sheeting walls ongoing. CLT seating plats being installed. Insulation works ongoing. Services rough in ongoing. Brickwork nearing completion.
- Construction of Stage 2 – Function Room, Amenities and Grand Hall ceilings and insulation ongoing. Sheeting of internal walls ongoing. High level services rough in ongoing. Perimeter framing nearing completion. Loading dock poured with remaining roof sheets commenced.
- Construction of Stage 3 – Library and Office Services rough in ongoing. Ground floor ceilings and partitions commenced. Level 1 ceilings and partitions commenced. CLT infill panels complete. Roofing works progressing. Framing and insulation to external walls progressing.
March 2023
- Continue preparing for all services to go in
- Continue bricking the south + west façade as well as bathrooms framing
- Continue insulation and soundproofing to roof and ceiling.
- Prepare the dock leveller footings.
- Complete structural steel to stage 3
- Complete roofing to all areas and screed plant room
February 2023
- Continue roofing installation
- Continue structural steel installation
- Finish brick work on west wall
- Internal walls to museum and library area progressing
- Rough in wet areas and lift core work.
January 2023
- Install of mass timber structure
- Prep plant deck level 2
- Continue structural steel stage
- Continue framing stage 1 and 2
- Continue roofing stage 1 and 2
- Continue brick work and feature stair wall
- Commence rough in
November 2022
- Install of mass timber structures and preparation to the plant deck
- Installation of structural steel and framing to stage 1 and 2
- Roofing going over theatre and brick work progressing
- Insulation continuing through project
October 2022 Update
- Under slab insulation, Pre pour inspection, Inground services inspection, arborist inspections undertaken
- BP1-4 received with BP5 submitted for approval.
- Stage 5 concrete complete
- Stage 1 steel complete
- Storm water complete Prep for stage 6 and 7
- Delivery of GLT columns
- Pour stage 6 and 7 concrete
- Install first 8 GLT columns, with delivery of CLT and 18 GLT columns
- Commence install of mass timber
- Prep and pour plant decks
- Continue structural steel
- Commence brick work and scaffolding
The key activities for the upcoming month of November include the following:
- Continue install of mass timber structure
- Prep and pour plant deck level 2
- Continue structural steel
- Continue framing
- Continue roofing
- Continue brick work
- Continue Insulation
- Continue scaffolding as required.
September 2022 update
- Pour stage 5 concrete
- Preparation and pour of stage 6 and 7 concrete
- Install first 8 GLT timber columns
- Complete installation of structural steel to theatre area.
- Main water capping finalised.
August 2022
- Inspections – Under slab insulation, Pre pour inspection, Inground services inspection, arborist inspections
- Building permit 4 + 5 submitted for approval.
- Concrete slab on ground has been completed to centre area.
- Stage 5 being prepared with foam and reinforcement.
- In ground services have continued with the installation of the tanks to the drive way and tap in preparations.
- Mass timber columns have been delivered to site.
- Stage 1 steel is being installed.
July 2022 Update
Concrete pour progressing as programmed.
- Upstand walls being erected over amenity area.
- Foam installation continues.
- McCorkell builders have built a protype of the brick wall to assist with grout specification and installation.
June 2022 Update
- Theatre gallery area concrete pour complete
- Function/amenities area concrete pour complete
- Stage area strip footings to be poured this Saturday
- Sewer installation progressing
- Passive House inspection completed by Inhabit – compliant result achieved
June 2022
Final concrete pour and slab set out to Theatre and Amenities area on 23 June 2022.
12 hour operations from 6am to 6pm.
May 2022 Update
- Ground pour to 2/3 of the slab on ground in stage 1 (theatre) and the preparation of the balance has been complete. Amenities core has been insulated and is about to commence preparation for concrete. In ground services are nearing completing with storm water and hydraulic runs being dug around site. Preparation for strip footings bellow the stage floor has also been complete.
Summary Works
- Concrete will be poured at the end of May with concrete construction to be finalised around the lift pits then aswell.
- There will be adjustment to screw piles in the theatre area ready for footing by the end of May.
- Foam to amenities and function area is ongoing but making good progress.
- Concrete preparation to gallery area ongoing.
- Steel to Stage 1 (theatre area) will be ready for fabrication shortly.
- Electrical in grounds services is ongoing to northern area of project
- Sewer in grounds ongoing to northern area of project
- GLT columns expected on site shortly
- Building Permit 3 soon to be released.
March 2022 Update
- Demolition complete.
- Builder appointed.
- Timelapse camera installed and Hoard Pop Up Stage 1 series on Thompson Avenue street frontage. Stage 2 in October 2022.
- Ground works underway. Concrete works and ground insulation in March 2022.
- Completion target for 2023.
This $27.2 million project has received funding support from the State Government, including $2.5 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund, $800,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and a $10 million loan from the Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme, as well as $5 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Program.
- The project will set new high standards in the provision of multi-use public community spaces, and in particular, deliver an accessible and functional building which contributes to best practice place making principles;
- The new centre will be a destination building with interesting architecture, while providing service for the Council and Community;
- Creating a dynamic and interactive place for people that is a source of community pride where groups can interact together;
- Secure the long-term use and improve the functionality, safety and efficiency;
- Incorporate Universal Design principles, expand and diversify the existing programs and services and improve access;
- Support the projected growth in population and identify the local demand for cultural, artistic and community programs and services;
- Best meets the communities’ needs giving consideration to Council’s existing strategic financial and cultural priorities;
- Increase the lifestyle and liveability opportunities for new and existing residents and visitors to the Shire; and
- Provide the centre point for cultural and heritage experiences and learning.
A revised concept of the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre was approved in October 2019. This concept maximised spaces for community groups, increased storage and enabled the design to function more effectively.
In February 2020, we sought tender responses for the detail design of the new facility.A design team has now been appointed. The detail design of the facility will include ongoing consultation with community groups and key stakeholders.
Construction of the new facility has started with a completion date by end March 2023.
The new Cowes Cultural and Community Centre is forecast to generate $51.8 million in benefit to the Bass Coast economy over the life of the project. The state government recently committed to the project, allocating $10 million via its Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme. The many economic and job benefits this project will bring the region ensures it will continue to progress. A new Cowes Cultural and Community Centre has been forecast in Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan. It’s location in the mid-block of Cowes will rejuvenate the activity centre and instil a sense of pride for Bass Coast whilst being the new home for many community uses and activities.
An extensive program of community and key stakeholders’ engagement has occurred over the past 5 years in developing the current concept design. Some of the consultation that has occurred includes:
- The establishment of a Council endorsed Working Group comprised of representatives from seven key stakeholder groups plus four community representatives.
- Written correspondence to every resident on Phillip Island with an invitation to review the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre concept design.
- Distribution of over 12,000 flyers to owners, occupiers, post office boxes and non-resident owners.
- Pop up community sessions with an overall attendance exceeding 360 people providing comment.
- Social media posts and published media releases
Concept Plans explained
Artist's Impressions
