SouthPort Master Plan Stage 1 Concept and Design Development

Client:	Gold Coast City Council
Value:	$15M
Timeframe:	2007-2008

 SouthPort Master Plan involved the development of a Master Plan for Stage 1 from Concept to Detailed Design to Construction for the Gold Coast City Council. Kirsty was the Project Director responsible for: engagement with key stakeholders, concept documentation and presentation to stakeholders, project reporting, analysis of environmental and social issues, cost estimating, surveying, initial engineering infrastructure review, geotechnical testing, concept and design management development of design
guidelines for various design features, attaining approval and funding for Stage 1 design  implementation, attaining planning approval, provision of advice to the clients (CEO and Director), Contractor negotiations and for providing strategic direction to the project.

Throughout the project the project team worked successfully with the following authorities for design input and approvals: GCCC's Sustainability offices, Telstra, Gold Coast Water, Historical society, various Councillors, GCCC's Engineering team Department of Health (QLD) and Department of Engineering (QLD).

Key Project Achievements:

• Project Completed on time, to budget and to a high quality standard.
   
• Infrastructure issues were dealt with by using Working Groups to build effective relationships and smooth infrastructure changes.
   
• Environmental review undertaken in collaboration with QLD Environment Department to ensure timely approvals and effective implementation of offsets.

Relevant Key Project Learnings:

• Stakeholders tend to come out of the woods when you're least expecting so make sure you know your stakeholders upfront. To try to avoid unknown project stakeholders having an impact on the project, stakeholders and their level of influence will be agreed upfront with the DCI Project Officer.
   
• A large number of stakeholders can have a significant impact on the project approvals process. To try to advise stakeholders upfront of the process to be undertaken and the critical timeframe for the project.