Sunshine Coast Private Hospital bus turnaround: An example of a risk management approach to design, concept to completion

When particular site constraints prohibit the application of design standards, we need to adopt a different approach. What seemed to be a straight forward bus facility upgrade requirement within the grounds of Sunshine Coast Private Hospital became a design process based on risk assessment and management to ultimately provide safe facilities for all the users. This paper documents the real design process adopted on a real project. It will cover the original objectives of the project, the constraints faced and the design process undertaken to develop a solution that met the objectives of a public transport facility without detriment to the other users. The site constraints included existing buildings, access restrictions, development approval requirements and protected habitat. A risk management design process developed that included the engagement of all the stakeholders, including the Transport and Workers Union. Key issues within the process will be examined, including the identification and acceptance of the real problems as well as the proposed solutions. The design process involved examining the potential impact of each part of the solution on each of the users in the area, in this way a coherent project emerged. Design of the project started in January 2011 with construction kick off in September of the same year. The construction of the project is now complete and the facility has been operating for over 12 months. Was it a success? What are the key learnings?