A new chapter has started for Forestry Corporation in Bathurst with the transformation of its 60-year-old building into a modern office space.

The original Forestry building, established by the former Forestry Commission in Panorama Avenue in 1963, has been rebuilt and renovated.

Forestry Corporation Regional Manager Jason Molkentin said opening of the new building is a milestone in forestry in the Central West.

“As one of the state’s key softwood locations in NSW, Bathurst has shared a long and prosperous history with Forestry Corporation over the decades,” Mr Molkentin said.

“Forestry Corporation chose to inherit some of the character and charm of the original building into the new construction and the decision to rebuild enabled us to save expenditure on a total demolition cutting down on the amount of waste produced from the old building.

“A key consideration with the project was hiring a local building company and using as many local suppliers and contractors as possible on the rebuild to ensure the return on investment to the local economy,” he said.

Bathurst-based company Hines Constructions completed the project over a period of eight months.

“We were particularly excited to be awarded the responsibility to rejuvenate and transform the Forestry Building, which is situated in our hometown of Bathurst,” Hines Constructions Managing Director David Hines said.

“It’s always very rewarding to be involved in local projects, particularly the ones with historical significance. Working with Insight Projects and the Forestry Corporation was a great experience.

“With enthusiasm and a collaborative approach by all parties, we successfully bought an old building back to life, improved its functionality and created a beautiful space for the staff. It’s a building that is aesthetically pleasing and one that enhances the appeal of Bathurst," he said.

The office area had several internal alterations and upgrades over the years, but largely the overall footprint remained unchanged.

Mr Molkentin said the new office is around 40 per cent larger than the original building and offers a modern office space for 46 staff members.

“The challenge for our local architects Derek Moses and the team from Havenhand Mather was to create a modern workplace while maintaining the distinctive facade of the former building; maintaining this historical connection was important to staff,” Mr Molkentin said.

“We were also very keen to feature timber in the new office and our Architect and Design teams have been able to achieve this by using timber in both aesthetic and structural application.

“It was also pleasing to use products sourced from customers which Forestry Corporation supplies with its renewable log products,” he said.

Matthew Harper Photography.

Forestry Corporation temporarily leased an office space in Bathurst and staff worked from home and local depots while the rebuild was underway.

Given Bathurst’s changing weather extremes between summer and winter, insulation has been greatly improved in the new building for the comfort of staff.  

The building also has enhanced energy efficiency, modern componentry as well as solar panels generating power for the site.

A purpose-designed fire room has also been installed where Forestry’s fire specialists will oversee bushfire and hazard reduction operations in state forests across the Central West.

Find out more about Forestry Corporation at www.forestrycorporation.com.au