South Australia’s Department for Education has committed to invest in and uplift the state’s public education across metropolitan and regional areas. As part of the initiative, Ceduna Area School received a $4m upgrade to build three specialist education units catered to disabled learners. The new spaces will help students from reception to year 12 to reach their full potential in an inclusive academic environment.   

A long time commercial partner with DIT, MBM’s South Australian education experts oversaw cost management on Ceduna Area School’s specialist education unit upgrades. Driven by Associate Director Rob Williamson, the MBM team worked closely with the Department from concept to construction. The school’s facilities enhancements and three new units deliver to the learning styles of children with disabilities, and are designed with unique educational needs in mind to create a space where all learners can thrive.   

Since 2022, the MBM team has worked closely with DIT to bring the 60-65m2 classrooms to life. Rob Williamson’s cost management expertise safeguarded the completion of the three self-contained learning spaces within budget. The refurbishments were carefully developed in line with the Office for Design and Architecture SA school design criteria and shaped by the core principles of inclusivity, durability, value, performance, and sustainability.  

The full scope of services provided by MBM’s team included concept services, estimates for the project budget, detailed design, and pre-tender, value management, construction and review services, alongside progress claims and variation assessments.   

Rob Williamson, General Manager for South Australia, was thrilled to be the lead cost manager and make a meaningful difference to learning opportunities for all students. He notes,  

“The opportunity to support DIT on the Ceduna Area School special education upgrades was a fantastic experience. It’s always important to deliver a project on time and within budget, but Ceduna was special. Knowing that the school’s spaces will make a difference for students with individual needs, while also giving back to the broader community, made the work all the more worthwhile.”