St George Harmony Centre

The St George Harmony Centre honours the rich culture of the Indigenous peoples traditionally connected to the St George community and surrounding areas. It acknowledges and respects the traditional owners by incorporating culturally significant elements, such as Yarning Circles. This design and construct project, which started in June 2023 and concluded in July 2024, involved Newlands collaborating closely with the client and local Indigenous representatives to ensure cultural relevance was preserved throughout.

The project encompassed a wide range of construction activities to create a space of cultural significance. Key components of the project include the treatment of asbestos-contaminated soil, ensuring safe and environmentally responsible remediation. The building’s structure prominently features tilt panels, alongside the installation of electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic services, with the addition of solar panels to support sustainable energy practices. The landscaping incorporates Australian native trees, shrubs, and bushes that hold cultural significance to the Indigenous community.

With a total budget of $3.1 million, the project was a collaborative effort between the Queensland Government, the South West Indigenous Corporation (SWIC), and the St George community. The successful coordination among these key stakeholders ensured the project met both cultural and functional requirements all within the established budget and timeline.