Project Planning and Construction
Project Planning
Whether a new school is being constructed or existing facilities modernised, planning takes place within the Victorian Schools Plan’s Building Futures. Such planning is informed by trends in Australia and overseas, and includes concepts contained in Dr Kenn Fisher’s Linking Pedagogy and Space and the work of Prakash Nair at Designshare.
The Department has released a resource highlighting examples of good school design. Victorian School Design provides a useful starting point and helps illustrate the impact of design on preferred teaching and learning environments. Featuring annotated floor plans, the resource examines various school models and spaces, the integration of facilities, community usage, information and communication technology, and ecologically sustainable development.
A feasibility study of building options will initially address a range of issues. An examination of site considerations is followed by the development of an overall masterplan. In refining this, the principal consultant (usually an architect acting on behalf of the school) develops more detailed schematic and design proposals. At each of these planning stages, the school and its consultant confer with the Department to evaluate the design solution under consideration.
For more information, see:
Consultants and Contractors
Appropriately qualified consultants (those experienced in educational building) are sourced from the Department's Principal Consultants’ Register. In addition, the Department’s Alarm Installation Consultant Panel ensures that architects work closely with appropriately qualified security specialists.
Consultants relevant to the planning stages of a project include architects, project managers, engineers, urban designers, quantity surveyors and landscape architects. Contractors pertinent to the construction phase include commercial and residential builders as well as demolition and specialist contractors.
For more information, see: Principal Consultants' Register (PDF - 212Kb)
Tender Process
Having completed a detailed project design to the satisfaction of the Department, the principal consultant next prepares the necessary tender documentation. This enables the project to be considered for inclusion in the Department's capital works and budget submission.
Once the tender documentation has been endorsed by the Department and tenders called for, the principal consultant will evaluate those received and recommend a preferred building contractor.
Government departments are required to use a standard form of contract for the provision of works and services. Accordingly, the Department employs General Conditions of Contract AS2124 Annexures Part A & B for all building, construction and maintenance works.
For more information, see General Conditions of Contract AS2124 Annexures Part A & B (PDF - 164Kb)
Contract Administration
The principal consultant supervises the construction contract on behalf of the school council, including all documentation, progress payments, contract variations and reporting. The consultant also follows up certifications and the rectification of any defects.