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hopevale aboriginal community

At the Hopevale Community 5 houses are being currently being built. QBuild, a business unit of Queensland Department of Public Works, in conjunction with the local community developed a specification for the houses appropriatefor the local climate and functional needs. Homefab Steel Truss and Frames designed the houses to meet the specification using termite resistant materials.

The houses achieved a between a 7.5 and 8 star energy rating when analysed used the BERs energy rating software. This 8 star rating was achieved by the incorporation of the following features:

• 900 overhangs around the house to shade the walls.
• The use of covered patios and carports to protect the worst exposed walls of the houses from the sun.
• 75mm stud walls with Aircell Permishield 65 to provide both insulation and a thermal break.
• The wall cladding was either fibre cement or corrugated Colorbond steel sheeting.
• The corrugated Colorbond roof cladding was combined with Air Cell Insulbreak 65 insulation.
• Both the wall and roof cladding used light colours to improve the reflection of the heat.

Following the tender process, Homefab was awarded a tender to supply the houses in kit form to Hope Vale. By packaging it this way, the cost of transport was significantly reduced as the various items could be packed to ensure full loads. Hope Vale is 4 hours north of Mareeba and 5 hours north of Cairns.  Therefore it is critical that items are not left off trucks and Homefab have devised systems to ensure complete deliveries.

This construction management model is proving very successful in providing well-designed and much needed facilities for the Hope Vale community and has also been used in other remote locations.

Frame & kit supplier: Homefab Steel Truss and Frame