Project Director
Quarantine Station Redevelopment
Mawland Construction (NSW)
www.qstation.com.au
Duration: September 1998 – April 2008
The business
Mawland is a small, Australian owned company whose core business has been developing and operating hotel management schools across the World. Mawland specialises in adaptive reuse - the conservation and upgrading on historic properties for tourism uses that are in keeping with the former historic use. Mawland has adapted historic properties such as Everglades Gardens and Lilianfelds Boutique Resort in the Blue Mountains, as well us the former Bond Store in The Rocks. Mawland has operated resorts in Vanuatu and hotels in the Blue Mountains.
Mawland won the tender to lease the Nationally-listed historic Quarantine Station, a 65 building property on 30 hectares of the Sydney Harbour National Park. Over 2000 to 2006 we endured extensive environmental assessments, lease redrafting, financing and due diligence that resulted in lease activation in October 2006.
Between November 2006 and April 2008 we adapted the property to create a 74 room retreat, conference and function facility, wharf-side restaurant, immersion theatre experience, paranormal tours and educational programs.
Established water shuttle from Sydney
Developed a visitor centre
Developed Sydney’s first long running theatre performance
Developed five tours, including paranormal investigation
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Achievements
- Created the successful tender bid against 12 other development companies
- Acquired Aus$10M debt facility for a lease-based project with complex operating environment
- Acquired Aus$0.75M in external funding grants to add value
- Adapted 65 buildings through 225 development conditions with no significant infringements
- Achieved an environmental approval despite relentless local opposition against government leasing
- Introduced best practice sensitive design and operational commitments within budget allowance
- Introduced some of Sydney’s most innovative tourism product, including immersion theatre, interactive tours and paranormal experiences
- Completed Aus$18M project within 4% of development budget using contingency
- Delivered 10 years of professional and personal persistence to take the project from tender through to stabilised operation
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Strategic role
- Project vision and tendering
Debt and equity procurement, due diligence
- Multiple valuations
- Prospectus for investors
- Financial sensitivity analysis
Community consultation and media management
- Lead media representative for company
- Public Relations Strategy
- Coordination of 14 on-site information sessions Information Kit, quarterly newsletters and website, presentations to government departments and special interest groups
Environmental management
- Coordination of consultants for Heritage Impact Statement, Environmental Impact Statement and Species Impact Statement
- Representations (on behalf of the Proposal) to a Commission of Inquiry into the Environmental Impacts of the Proposal
Budget management
- Five year and detailed first two year forecasts for accommodation, tours, food and beverage, conferencing, spa and education businesses
- Financial feasibility assessments (development costs and forecasts)
- Management of $17M budget, including cost report and bank drawdowns and associated performance reports
- $1.2M Preopening budget management
Business development
- Coordination of product development, marketing and development staff
- Project direction of the development of accommodation, restaurant, conferencing, immersion theatre, paranormal tours, visitor centre and education programs
Staff and contractor management
- Oversaw Construction Manager and multiple specific contractors, eg.
- $1.6M fitout contract
- $800,000 theatre production contract
- $400,000 communications and computer contract
- $250,000 visitor centre contract
- $200,000 Architect contract
- $200,000 environmental and heritage consultants
Tourism planning
- Site Master Plan documenting proposed physical changes to the site
- Visitor Management Plan for managing public access
- Interpretation and Education Plan
- Integrated monitoring and adaptive management system
Sales and marketing
- Sales and Marketing Plan
- Market research, customer monitoring
- Lead sales and marketing activity for tour products
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