The Magazine | Australian National Construction Review | Bundha Sports Centre
A Model for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure
One of Victoria’s first vertically stacked multi-use sports centres, Bundha Sports Centre features a
three-level structure housing five stacked indoor courts, a cafe, community spaces, and a 24-hour gym. The all-electric facility provides flexible court space for multiple sports, including basketball, netball, volleyball and futsal, showcasing innovative construction solutions.
Built Environs, a leader in innovative and sustainable construction, has proudly completed the Bundha Sports Centre.
Located on the former Fitzroy Gasworks site and adjacent to the Wurun Senior Campus, the centre stands as a beacon of community-focused design and sustainability. Constructed as a partnership between the Victorian government and City of Yarra and overseen by Development Victoria, the all-electric, multi-level facility has been designed to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating.
The state-of-the-art complex includes a ground floor reception and café, a mezzanine-level gym, multiple levels of mixed-use courts, and multipurpose spaces. “This project demonstrates our capability to manage complex, multi-use developments in dense urban environments, while maintaining safety, quality, and community integration,” said Kirra Tickell, Construction Manager.
Key construction challenges included managing large floor-to-floor spans, environmental contamination from the former gasworks site, and a complex façade design. After extensive investigation, the team selected an in-situ concrete system with post-tensioned slabs and beams for its cost-efficiency and structural integrity. Over 12 months were spent refining the façade design to meet the architect’s vision.
Environmental management was a major priority. Unexpected soil contamination led to ongoing testing and air monitoring, with collaboration from an occupational hygienist. Built Environs coordinated closely with the adjacent Wurun Senior Campus, constructing within the school’s soccer pitch and integrating into its service infrastructure. Fortnightly school interface meetings ensured alignment on all construction activities and safety measures.
“Our team maintained a strong focus on safety, logging over 226,000 working hours with zero Lost Time Injuries,” said Kirra. Built Environs used Hammertech and Visbuild systems, held daily pre-starts, weekly toolbox talks, and facilitated over 2,800 safety observations during construction. “Maintaining a culture of safety and proactive communication across site teams and subcontractors was key to delivering the project smoothly.”
In line with the Green Star goals, the project used renewable energy sources, improved indoor air quality, captured rainwater for reuse, and met rigorous air tightness standards. Amenities on an adjacent government-owned parcel were supported by a rainwater reuse system, minimising energy consumption. These initiatives are currently being documented for formal Green Star accreditation with the Green Building Council of Australia.
Social sustainability was equally prioritised. In line with the ‘Culture in Construction’ recommendations, Built Environs implemented initiatives around diversity, wellbeing, and mental health.
“We had strong female representation in key project roles and partnered with Incolink to deliver toolbox talks on health and wellbeing,” Kirra added. “We also took a flexible approach to rostering, supporting work-life balance through planned Saturday works and wellbeing check-ins.”
Accessibility and inclusion were embedded in the project’s DNA.
Built Environs worked with accessibility consultant Architecture & Access and design partner CO.OP Studio to ensure equitable access across the centre. Design considerations included accessible amenities, intuitive venue circulation, and compliant lift and stair access. Fortnightly stakeholder meetings guided design decisions, ensuring the facility was welcoming and usable for everyone in the community.
In addition to its technical and design success, the project made a positive social and economic impact by engaging local contractors and suppliers through a targeted social procurement plan. Built Environs also developed strong collaborative relationships with project stakeholders and consultants.
Reflecting on the project, Kirra said, “What stands out most is the team cohesion and the relationship we built with Development Victoria. Our honest, collaborative approach helped build trust across all stakeholders. That’s something we carry forward into every community project we deliver.”
The Bundha Sports Centre sets a new benchmark in sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven infrastructure, showcasing Built Environs’ ability to deliver complex, high-quality developments that meet the needs of growing urban populations while enhancing social, environmental, and economic outcomes for years to come.
For more information contact Built Environs, Level 10, 480 Swan Street, Richmond VIC 3121, phone 08 8232 1882, email builtenvirons@builtenvirons.com.au, website www.builtenvirons.com.au
No foul Play: Coover’s Vapour Mitigation Scores Big at Bundha
Case StudiesCoover Vapour Mitigation Services ensured long-term safety with a tailored vapour mitigation system for Bundha Sports Centre.
As part of the transformation of the former Fitzroy Gasworks into the Bundha Sports Centre, Coover Vapour Mitigation Services was engaged to deliver a tailored vapour mitigation system (VMS) designed to protect and shield the facility from harmful ground gases and vapour. The requirement to incorporate a VMS into the final building form was completed as part of an EPA Environmental Audit of the former Fitzroy Gasworks site.
“As the site once operated as a large gas generation facility, operations at the site contaminated the underlying soil and groundwater said Ivan Devcic, Managing Director and Principal. “Our VMS protects the building and its occupants from harmful volatile organic ground gases such as BTEX, PAHs, and phenols.
Coover’s solution combined an active venting system with a gas-proof barrier membrane. The system, integrated directly beneath the ground slab, continuously intercepts, collects, and expels contaminated gases, with minimal visual impact to the finished structure. The solution was a key requirement of the site’s EPA Environmental Audit and was delivered with rigorous construction quality assurance (CQA).
“The success of the VMS came down to high workmanship standards and detailed planning,” Jake Daffy, Coover’s VMS Construction Manager explained. “We implemented a comprehensive CQA Plan, developed in collaboration with Built Environs, subcontractors, and the EPA Environmental Auditor.”
Throughout construction, Coover navigated complex challenges, including in-ground work coordination with plumbing and structural teams, and design changes requiring agile project management.
“Our team remained adaptable, innovative, and focused on the successful delivery of a system that would perform reliably for the designed life of the building,” said Jake.
To ensure ongoing protection, the VMS is monitored remotely using CooverTrak telemetry, guaranteeing the building and its occupants are protected well into the future.
“Urban renewal sites like Bundha require sophisticated environmental safeguards,” Ivan added. “Coover is proud to support projects that bring long-term community benefit, transforming legacy contaminated industrial land into safe and modern community facilities.”
For more information contact Coover Vapour Mitigation Services, phone 0419 885 456 (Ivan Devcic) or 0420 986 159 (Jake Daffy), website www.coover.com.au
Bundha Sports Centre
March 2025One of Victoria’s first vertically stacked multi-use sports centres, Bundha Sports Centre features a
three-level structure housing five stacked indoor courts, a cafe, community spaces, and a 24-hour gym. The all-electric facility provides flexible court space for multiple sports, including basketball, netball, volleyball and futsal, showcasing innovative construction solutions.