Colin McCallum, Lendlease Foreman
Through the People of the Project series for the Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment, we meet the wonderful people working hard behind-the-scenes to build this important project for the Geelong region. This week we meet Lendlease Foreman, Colin McCallum, who grew up in Geelong and is passionate about the opportunities the facility will bring to the local community.
Colin has worked in the construction industry for over 12 years and has worked on a number of large projects across the state. As foreman on this project his role and responsibilities vary depending on the construction phase. “My responsibilities cover general site safety, which is of the highest priority. Key areas within the project’s current structure phase include working at heights, under-over works and the use of equipment, “said Colin. “I also chair weekly subcontractor meetings where we discuss the project’s programme as well as general site coordination for the relevant trades and LendLease site supervision.”
The architectural design for the Little Malop Street Redevelopment is bold and striking, and one of the design features that stands out most to Colin is the 500-seat theatre which is an isolated structure. “Due to the acoustic requirements, the main theatre is separate from the surrounding building, meaning that from the ground to the roof there is a continuous gap that stops sound and vibration travelling to adjacent buildings.
“You could have a rock concert in the 250-seat theatre, and a classical ballet performance in the 500-seat theatre without interference from one another. That’s impressive to me.”
Having grown up in Geelong, Colin has not only seen the local jobs the project has created, but he also feels that this will leave a positive impression beyond the building’s completion.
“It’s incredible to engage with locals and the local suppliers on this project. Everyone involved is immersed in the details and they take pride in their contribution to it – that’s been my experience from working with the clients right through to the suppliers.”
That great sense of pride is a common theme when we talk to people who are working on the Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment and it’s certainly something we feel as we watch the construction site transform.
The Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment is backed with a $140 million investment from the Victorian Government.