Bourke Builders delivered The Meeting Place, a purpose-built community and conference facility for the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, located within Barmah National Park. The project includes a flexible conference centre with three operable spaces that can be used separately or opened up into one large area, along with a commercial kitchen, amenities and associated services.
The build involved a reinforced concrete slab, structural steel portal frame, prefabricated roof trusses and a mix of precast concrete tilt panels and corrugated metal cladding. A key part of the project was delivering the curved elements, including the rear deck, entry deck and the covered walkways connecting to the Dharnya Centre and nearby student accommodation.
The covered walkways were a standout challenge, with corrugated roofing needing to follow both a convex shape and a curve in plan. This required careful set-out, custom framing and close coordination between trades to get the finish right while still meeting performance requirements.
The fitout features extensive use of hardwood timber, including timber decking, cladding and acoustic ceiling, showcasing a high level of carpentry throughout. The precast panels were finished with a ‘Kalgoorlie’ pigment and include cast detailing, helping tie the materials together across the project.
With the site located in a flood-prone national park, the project also required specialised civil and hydraulic solutions, including a sealed septic system for the commercial kitchen and a charged stormwater system for rainwater harvesting. Environmental management was a key focus, including protection of culturally significant features on site.
Overall, the project highlights Bourke Builders’ ability to deliver complex builds, manage challenging site conditions and produce a high-quality outcome.