Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre

17 December 2025

Our contractor will be taking a short break over the Christmas/New Year period and the site will be closed from Tuesday 23 December to Monday 5 January 2026.

As we near the end of the year let’s look back at the MEC timeline:

• Dec ’24 – Community Session at Richmond Park
• Jan ’25 – First MEC e-newsletter
• Feb ’25 – 150+ join Concept Design presentations
• Feb ’25 – Council progresses Concept Design
• Mar ’25 – Development Application lodged
• May ’25 – Plan of Management adopted
• Jun ’25 – Public meeting with the Planning Panel
• Jul ’25 – MEC DA endorsed & Construction Tender released
• Aug ’25 – Contract awarded to Hines Constructions
• Sep ’25 – Construction officially begins
• Dec ’25 – First concrete poured & foundations take shape

This is the final MEC news update for 2025. We’ll be taking a short break, with no community meetings scheduled for December or January.

From our Project Team and the Hines Construction crew, thank you for your continued support and best wishes for a safe and happy festive season.

17 December 2025

The first concrete has gone in, laying the foundations for the sports hall walls and marking a major milestone on site. This week also marks the first of four concrete pours for the main building footprint, with the remaining external concrete works scheduled for next year — watch this space.

It’s a busy time on site, with concrete trucks coming and going and excavators digging trenches to prepare for underground hydraulic services.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening:

• Hydraulic works are being carried out by local company Murray’s Plumbing. This includes 92 openings in the slab at the front of the building, as well as a trade waste connection with a grease trap (photo below).
• Civil stormwater works started earlier this month.
• Retaining wall construction has begun. The wall will feature steel beams with precast concrete panels fitted between them.
• Behind the scenes precast panels are being fabricated for the main building envelope. Once ready these will be transported to site and stood in place using a crane.

Plenty happening as the project continues to take shape.

Our November meeting tomorrow on Wednesday, 26 November will be the last for the year. After that, we’ll review whether there is enough community interest to continue these meetings in the new year.

25 November 2025

Work on site is progressing well. Earthworks have been completed, including the site cut and pad installation, and temporary power and sewer have now been connected. Recent rain caused minor delays, but the project remains on track.

The next steps include installing the underground sewer, water and stormwater pipes. The team will then dig and prepare the foundation areas before adding reinforcement and pouring concrete.

Construction of the retaining wall along the back of the building is also underway. The wall will range in height from 4 metres down to 1 metre. Footings have commenced with the boring of 110 pier holes, ready for steel beams and concrete. Check out the progress in the photo gallery.

14 October 2025

The next Community Project Meeting will be held at Club Tumut on Wednesday 22 October at 5pm, everyone is welcome.

10 October 2025

Groundworks are progressing well. Following the safe removal of hazardous materials from the former bowling clubhouse, demolition is nearly complete. Earthworks are shaping up nicely, with the building platform beginning to take form as the project moves steadily forward.

Earthworks are expected to take around five weeks to complete. During this time, trucks will continue entering and leaving the site to remove approximately 8142 cubic metres of fill. Strict safety, dust, and noise controls are in place to minimise disruption to nearby residents and businesses.

2 October 2025

Thank you to everyone who attended our Community Project Meeting in September. Josh (Hines Project Manager, below right) and Lance (Hines Construction Manager, below left) provided an overview of the project and outlined the upcoming construction activities.

Some questions were raised about traffic management and vehicle movement along Richmond Street to the Snowy Mountains Highway. This route was chosen in consultation with Riverina Traffic Services as the most direct way to reach the highway while avoiding the CBD and nearby schools. The approaches to the Richmond Park site are now signposted with a 40km/h speed limit, and traffic control will be in place when required.

If you have any construction-related concerns including noise, dust, vibrations, truck movements, or site safety - contact details for the Hines Constructions team are displayed on the site fencing.

For non-construction matters, such as Development Approval conditions, planning, or zoning queries, please contact Council’s Project Officer, Phil McMurray.

16 September 2025

Construction is about to get underway, and we know many in the community are keen to learn more. Join us next Wednesday 24 September at 5pm to meet our contractor, get the latest updates on the project and ask any questions you have.

Location: Club Tumut (meeting room), 24 Richmond Street

16 September 2025

MEC construction works will will kick off from 22 September 2025.

🏗️ Site preparations (including fencing) start tomorrow
🕖 Construction hours: 7am–5pm weekdays, with occasional Saturdays
🚶 Nearby residents have been notified via a letterbox drop

Locals may notice increased vehicle movements, construction noise, and temporary changes to footpaths and site access so please take care when you are in the area.

Curious about the project? Come to the MEC Community Project Meeting at Club Tumut next Wednesday, 24 September at 5 pm.

10 September 2025

Ahead of construction starting, Council’s contractors have carefully relocated the golden elm trees that were positioned along what will become the back retaining wall of the building footprint.

Following specialist arborist advice, the trees were moved while temperatures are still cool - the best time to transplant advanced deciduous trees. Moving mature trees is no small task, and timing is critical to give them the best chance to thrive in their new location.

The golden elms have been replanted within Richmond Park, including some near the new playground where they will provide much-needed shade as they establish and grow.