National Herbarium of NSW

MBM Project Lead

Stephen Flynn

Client Name

Root Partnership

Sector

Public & Civic

Timeline

2018 - 2021

Project Value

$ 44m

MBM Project Team

  • Paul Janes
  • Jordan Dimech

Services Provided

  • Business case studies
  • Master Planning
  • Tender Assessment
  • ECI Value Engineering review
  • D&C Offer assessment
  • Full post-contract services

Originally MBM was engaged in 2013 to prepare a business case estimate which involved various options to help determine the most feasible strategy for the client’s plans for facility expansion and specimen relocation. As part of the business case MBM also prepared life cycle costs and took part in a Gateway Interview.

As the scope of the project developed and the client’s requirements were determined MBM provided cost advice at the Master Planning stage prior to going out to tender.

Once the Master Plan & Functional Brief of the project was set the project went out to tender under an ECI procurement with a heavy emphasis on design through setting a ‘Design Competition’.

MBM worked closely with the project team to assist on the tender assessment panel and evaluated the priced component of the tenders which allowed the client to focus on the physical and functional components of the tenderer’s design.

As the ECI contract was awarded MBM continued to work closely with the design team to value engineer the most cost-effective design within the target sum whilst still retaining the architectural flare of the concept design.

Following the ECI phase MBM assisted with assessing the D&C offer. MBM then undertook all post-contract services including monthly progress claim assessments, variation & provisional sum assessments & regular cashflow updates to the client.

Project Background and Scope

The National Herbarium of NSW is a significant asset to Australian history and culture. Founded in 1896, the Herbarium is Australia’s largest collection of preserved plant specimens. The collection contains important pieces of Australian history, featuring many rare species of vegetation that no longer exist, as well as some collections made in 1710 on Captain Cook’s Eastern Australia discovery voyage.

The core functions of The National Herbarium of New South Wales include:

  • The long-term preservation and protection of the State’s plant collections
  • Research into Botanical Science
  • Providing a botanical library which showcases literature and resources dedicated to research into plant science whilst also preserves the history of the RBG&DT

In 2012 the RBG&DT identified that the existing Herbarium facility does not enable adequate protection and preservation of the collection. It was identified that a significant redevelopment of the National Herbarium was required to ensure the longevity of the State’s collection.

The new National Herbarium of NSW provides state-of-the-art storage facilities for the continuously expanding 1.4 million specimens and will support a further 50 years of growth. In addition to the upgraded storage facilities, the new Herbarium will feature research and educational facilities to enable further scientific development and implementation in the field of botany.