Macedon Ranges Shire Council has welcomed the appointment of builder Monaco Hickey, A Division of Roberts Co, to complete the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct’s first stage in New Gisborne, with work to recommence this month.

Council has been working collaboratively with administrators and potential contractors behind the scenes on a resolution following the announcement of Lloyd Group going into voluntary administration and works pausing in late March. Council’s CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said securing the priority project’s future given the difficult circumstances was very welcome and minimises the impact on the project’s momentum.

“It is very pleasing to announce this appointment, and we have ensured that we’ve completed the necessary due diligence,” he said. “As part of the agreement, the contractor has agreed to re-engage existing subcontractors and site staff wherever possible.

This was an important consideration for Council, knowing there were a number of local companies and workers on the books previously. “We’ll continue to work productively with all key stakeholders – including Monaco Hickey, the Victorian Government, Melbourne Water, AFL Victoria, the Primary User Reference Group and the community more broadly – to progress what will be such an important recreational addition for the shire.”

Melbourne-based Monaco Hickey is a division of wholly Australian-owned business Roberts Co. Roberts Co is a national tier-one construction company that delivers major projects in many sectors including commercial, health, education, hospitality and residential.

Work on stage one of the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct began last year, with significant progress made since, including site setup, drainage, utility connections, building foundations, earthworks on the new oval and structural works on the sports hub.

The ~$26 million first stage consists of a three-court sports hub, a natural turf oval and sports pavilion, passive recreation facilities, landscaping and associated infrastructure. Stage one of the project is targeted for completion by mid-2024.

“Monaco Hickey is looking forward to our ongoing partnership with Macedon Ranges Shire Council. I would like to thank Council’s CEO, Bernie O’Sullivan and his staff, and all the stakeholders for their trust in Monaco Hickey to deliver a project of this scale and the collaborative approach during the due diligence process. It has been a positive outcome to re-engage existing staff and sub-contractors to continue the successful work delivered to date.” Patrick Hickey, Director, Monaco Hickey, A Division of Roberts Co.

For more information and project updates, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/MRRSP

Note: All images artist impression only – subject to change.