Contract for building new SAM signed

Construction on the new Shepparton Art Museum is set to commence on Friday following the signing of the contract between Greater Shepparton City Council and Kane Constructions Pty Ltd, the successful tenderer for the build.

The construction contract was awarded to Kane Constructions at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 26 February 2019.

“Kane are very excited to be appointed to construct this unique and special project,” said Kane Construction Director, Geoff Purcell.

“At Kane, we have a long and successful history of delivering tailor-made, complex and demanding building projects throughout Victoria and are very much looking forward to making the new SAM vison a reality.”

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said the Council was pleased the contract has now been signed to enable works to commence on April 5. “This is the most significant and bold building that Council has invested in, and we have every confidence that Kane Constructions will do the design justice. It will be exciting to see some movement on site as we watch the new SAM take form.”  

The works will necessitate the removal of 37 trees in the footprint of the SAM building. The trees were part of the planning process and were subject to a detailed inspection and audit. The majority of the trees are of low to medium value and some are being removed due to noted risks such as consistent limb failures.

Council is replacing the trees with 35,000 tube stock trees, 31 medium (45 litre) trees and 46 large (100 litre) trees to offset the loss. The trees will be Australian native and indigenous plants suitable to the area. This will ensure carbon offset for the Goulburn Valley region although there was no requirement for offsets on these tree removals.

The building will be constructed with the following actions and completed by the end of 2020:

Stage 1:

  • Site preparation and tree removal as part of endorsed arborist plans
  • Piles completed & ground floor slab underway mid 2019
  • Level 4 slab & roof steel structure completed late 2019
  • Façade completed early 2020
  • Fit out completed mid 2020

Stage 2:

  • Landscaping, car parking late 2020 including the planting 80 mature trees and 35,000 tube stock

For more information visit greatershepparton.com.au