Case Study: Iglu Student Precinct
Overview
Iglu partnered with UNSW to deliver a landmark student village on the 9,280 m² Western Car Park site at Anzac Parade, Kensington — a major precinct comprising five towers with more than 943 student apartments, retail and communal spaces, and basement parking.
Iglu engaged Waratah Consulting to deliver the comprehensive Dilapidation Report (DLP) required under the DA, ensuring pre-construction documentation of neighbours including the rail corridor, NIDA’s performance facilities, student housing, Defence properties, and 11 private dwellings. The first stage required urgent rail sign-off, with subsequent surveys dependent on access to a wide range of stakeholders. The challenge lay in coordinating multiple government departments, UNSW, and residents under tight timeframes to meet LEP controls, amended setbacks, and Clause 4.6 variation requirements without delaying the Construction Certificate.
How We Worked
Waratah began by planning the DLP around complex stakeholder groups — from major government departments to local residents — and mapping the approach required to gain access across each property type. The first priority was securing sign-off on the rail corridor survey for Transport for NSW, which was a precondition to progressing into the other sites.
Once this was complete, our engineers conducted staged surveys of NIDA’s performance facilities, UNSW’s postgraduate accommodation, the University Regiment, and 11 private dwellings. Throughout, we maintained constant communication with the client, UNSW, and affected stakeholders to ensure transparency, coordinate access, and keep the project moving in line with Iglu’s project plan and milestones.
Results & Impact
- All surveys completed within the client’s program and regulatory conditions
- Comprehensive condition record across education, defence, transport, and residential assets
- Reduced risk of disputes or claims during excavation and construction
- Provided Iglu with a single, trusted partner for managing complex external interfaces
Why It Matters
This project highlights Waratah’s role in helping developers meet strict DA conditions and manage complex stakeholder relationships under tight timelines. By providing independent DLP surveys and coordinating across government departments, UNSW, and local residents, we reduced the risk of dispute and delay. Our work gave Iglu the assurance needed to progress approvals with confidence and maintain momentum on a high-profile project.
“Waratah’s timely and well-managed coordination gave us the confidence to deliver a complex, multi-stakeholder precinct without slipping our milestones.”
David Sok
Assistant Project Manager, Igu