Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre

The Major Projects team delivered the $52.8 million Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre on the Wacol Police Complex in Brisbane. The centre is used by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) for training in operational and tactical skills in a secure venue.

Completed in September 2020, the world-class training facility includes unique indoor live firing ranges, specialist training areas for various activities, and a realistic village that replicates city, urban, rural and transport scenes for real-world scenario training.

Designed to bring together previously dispersed training activities, the facility will improve training efficiency for more than 7,500 QPS in-service officers and members of specialist units, and 600 QPS recruits every year. In addition, emergency service and defence agencies can participate in joint exercises at the facility, which supports greater partnerships and cooperation.

The bespoke, cutting-edge design is the result of extensive research undertaken by the project team at various Australian police and defence force facilities. Health and safety were paramount, particularly in the firing ranges where various weapon types can be used in varying situations, from cadet and in-service officer training, night scenarios, to specialised scenario training in a 270-degree shooting configuration.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) was used and it helped understand design, workflow and technical proposals critical to safety. BIM also enabled accurate construction tolerance particularly for the installation of ballistic steel, and expensive specialist equipment sourced from overseas including steel decelerator bullet traps and complex firing range targetry equipment.

The project also included refurbishing the heritage-listed Jacaranda House to provide workplace accommodation, additional training facilities and carparking.