Project Overview
- Client: Bunnings Group Limited
- Location: Mittagong, NSW
- Project Type: Capital Upgrade – Live Retail Environment
- Contract Type: Design & Construct
- Project Value: AUD 8M
- Duration: 10 months
- Sector: Retail
Strategic Objective
The Mittagong project was undertaken to expand and modernise an existing Bunnings Warehouse, improving overall functionality, compliance, and customer experience while maintaining uninterrupted retail operations.
The objective was to enhance the store’s retail and trade offering, upgrade ageing infrastructure, and integrate new services in line with contemporary Bunnings standards.
The Challenge / Need
The project was delivered within a fully operational retail environment, presenting significant logistical and operational challenges:
- Maintaining continuous store trading throughout construction
- Managing customer and staff safety within an active construction zone
- Integrating new systems and infrastructure into an ageing asset
- Sequencing works to minimise disruption to retail operations
- Coordinating demolition and construction activities within constrained, live conditions
This required careful staging, communication, and execution to avoid impacting customer experience or revenue performance.
Our Approach
Qfactor adopted a highly controlled, staged delivery methodology tailored for live retail environments:
- Live Environment Project Management
Carefully planned and sequenced works to maintain uninterrupted store operations - Stakeholder Coordination
Continuous engagement with Bunnings operations, contractors, and consultants to align construction activities with trading requirements - Safety & Risk Management
Implemented strict segregation, access controls, and safety protocols to protect customers, staff, and workers - Integrated Design & Delivery
Managed design and construction holistically to ensure seamless integration of new systems into the existing asset - Programme & Disruption Minimisation
Prioritised night works, staged handovers, and flexible programming to reduce impact on trading
Solution & Key Deliverables
- Store Expansion Works
Extension of the existing warehouse footprint to increase retail and trade capacity - Demolition of Redundant Bulk Retail Structure
Removal of outdated building elements to enable new development - New Timber Trade Facility
Enhanced trade offering with dedicated facilities for professional customers - Internal Upgrades to Existing Warehouse
- Compliance upgrades
- New café and customer amenities
- Lighting, mechanical, and fire services upgrades
- Systems Integration
Installation and commissioning of new infrastructure while maintaining live services
Results / Outcomes
- Successful Delivery in a Live Retail Environment
Completed without disruption to ongoing store operations - Improved Customer Experience
Enhanced amenities, layout, and overall functionality - Upgraded Operational Capability
Modernised services and infrastructure aligned with current Bunnings standards - Strengthened Trade Offering
New timber trade facilities supporting increased engagement with trade customers
Our Value-Added Differentiator
Qfactor demonstrated strong capability in delivering complex upgrades within live operational environments, including:
- Expertise in live retail construction and staging strategies
- Ability to integrate modern building systems into existing assets
- Proven approach to maintaining trading continuity during construction
- Strong stakeholder coordination and communication under operational constraints
- Focus on safety, programme certainty, and minimal disruption
Key Project Metrics
- Contract Value: AUD 8M
- Duration: 10 months
- Environment: Fully operational retail store
- Scope: Expansion, demolition, internal upgrades, services integration
References
Nathan Arthur – Project Manager
Doug Djordjevic – Project Architect
