Taronga Conservation Society Australia, a government owned not-for-profit organisation in New South Wales responsible for Sydney’s vibrant Taronga Zoo, partnered with MBM to replace and develop the new Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Centre (ARC).
The new centre breathes fresh new life into the zoo and encourages more new visitors, facilitates immersive learning experiences, and highlights a range of native and exotic species that hop, slither and crawl. The planning and construction of ARC forms part of Taronga’s Wild Futures project which is comprised of three new facilities: two state of the art Wildlife Hospitals (Sydney and Dubbo) and a Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Centre.
ARC captures the essence of Taronga’s ‘For the Wild’ mantra, holding space for unique guest experiences, keeper talks, encounters and tours. ARC was built with sustainability in mind, ensuring maintenance outcomes for asset lifecycle and consideration for future site planning.
MBM’s Sydney team delivered extensive quantity surveying and cost management services across the concept design and development, tender, construction, and post construction stages for the new Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Centre. Led by Associate Director Ed Robins and Quantity Surveyor Nathan Huang, the team worked with the client for three years to turn the project vision into a reality.
Over the years MBM have obtained extensive pricing on theming, visitor interpretation, fencing, mock rock, specialist landscaping elements, services, exhibit enrichment devices, off holding and BOH facility requirements to exhibits. MBM have worked closely with the design team and suppliers to ensure costs and obtain the best pricing in the industry.
MBM are highly aware of the issues faced by Taronga during the mobilization of animals, Zoo operations and day to day visitor access impacting on the construction timeframes, deliveries, and noise. Construction works on the ARC due to its location and nature attracted considerable thought (and relevant zoo experience) needed to ensure an accurate budget was established and ultimately controlled. Likewise, factors around contractor access, site services and animal sensitivity all attract individual cost components that should be awarded special attention rather than simply made allowance for with a rash estimate.
The full scope of services provided by MBM‘s NSW team included:
- Cost Planning and Estimating
- Risk Assessment
- Feasibility Studies
- Tender Evaluation
- Value Management
- Variation Assessments
- Life Cycle Costing
- Post-contract Administration
- Asset Register and Tax Depreciation Schedule
Ed Robins, Associate Director led the project and noted, “The team is thrilled to have supported Taronga Conservation Society Australia on another successful project. The new Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Centre achieves Taronga Zoo’s goal to shine a light on reptile and amphibian conservation and truly enhances the zoo experience. The MBM team hopes visitors will enjoy the conservation centre.”
The ARC development was completed in mid-2024. The public can now visit and see up to 42 unique reptiles and amphibians at the facility.
Image Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney
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