J a carand a Governmont Jacaranda High School Government High School Baokgrou nd A new building is being constructed in an operating government high school. The contract for the construction was established bv the Building Management Division at the Head Office of the Education Department with a local building companv, following asuccessfultender process. The project was funded bv that Division with a budget of $2,013,111] and a project manager was appointed to manage the project including the construction contract and associated preparation, fit-out, landscaping and commissioning works. Additionallv, the Department is arranging the fencing and site securitv patrols for the project. Envisage that vou are emploved bv the Education Department and that vou have been assigned the role of the Project Manager and vou will need to deal with the situations described here. In the design of the new facilities, the staff and communitv of the high schoolwere consulted and now construction is underwav. Aside from the building there is considerable landscape work. and changes to pedestrian access wavs and open areas. A large surrounding area has been fenced off to separate the construction and landscaping work. from the school population. To date, the work. has progressed well and there have been no incidenE. The project timeline of six months with a finish date in the ear|1..r summer is on track. time dav, when viewing the works with some teaching staff, the Principal of the school becomes alarmed. Construction of some retaining walls has just started and the staff are concerned that, when completed, these will create areas that are difficult to supervise and could, therefore, present a danger to studenE. This risk. was not foreseen when the earlv designs were reviewed. The Principal meeE with the contractor on site and explains the problem. The contractor agrees to stop work on the walls in question and consider the issue. After consulting with the construction staff, the contractor proposes to change the landscape from a flat pla1..r area to a declining recreation area, and that this would remove the need for the retaining walls and provide clear visual access to the area for supervision. The loss of flat pla1..r area is not seen as a significant problem and the Principal and the staff are pleased that this change will improve the facilitll.r of the new works. The construction proceeds with the changed landscaping. 1|.I".I'hen the contractor lodges the next progress claim for pavment to the Project Manager, the cost of the variation [for removal of the commenced walls, redesign, revised plans, new earthworks, etc] is included. However, the variation is disallowed and the contractor is not paid for that aspect of the works. thiouslv, the contractor is upset luv this and the situation evolves into a dispute. Ja carand a Government Jacaranda High School Government High School Baokgrou nd This scenario builds on the situation described in Activitv 3 of this written assessment [the development of a new building on the grounds of an operating government high school]. You should re-read the background to that situation. The proposal for a new school building was generallv well supported bv the residents in the area of the school as it provided for improved learning experiences and an increased range of courses for the student. The construction, however, has caused some issues with noise and traffic disruptions interfering with an otherwise quiet neighbourhood. it has also come to light that, to accommodate the increased staffing atthe school, a new car park. will be built on the school grounds in an area that is currentlv bushland. In fact, a small group of residents. have formed a resident's opposition committee to present their grievances to the head of the Education Department and even to demand compensation for loss of bushland in their communitv. Politicallv, the Education Minister is not supportive of this project. The construction contracts were established prior to a recent election which saw a change of government, and the current policv prioritises spending on regional schools rather than upgrading of those in the metropolitan suburbs. The Iocalelected Member, however [who is now an opposition member] is a great supporter, having lobbied hard for several vears to have the school expansion project approved in her electorate. \f+ Position Description Template Business or Company Name: Building Management Division: Education Department Position Title: Project Sponsor Reporting to: Manager of Building Management Division, Education Department Engagement dates: [Start Date] [End Date] (if applicable) Key responsibility of the position (Name at least three (3) areas of responsibility)