townsville field training area - qld

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The Townsville Field Training Facility was a critical Defence infrastructure project designed to support enhanced training, operational readiness, and coordination capabilities for Australia’s armed forces in Northern Queensland. The scope included delivery of a Defence control centre, road upgrades, airfield infrastructure, and supporting utilities, within a high-security, tightly governed environment.

Delivered in a climate of strict program requirements, operational sensitivity, and tight access protocols, the project required not just technical execution, but trust-building and collaborative engagement with Defence stakeholders at every level.

Trevor Hall held full accountability for the delivery of the project, leading a high-performance delivery team that combined technical competence with a strategic, relationship-led approach to Defence engagement. Trevor’s leadership focused not only on meeting scope and delivery expectations, but also on building a transparent, solutions-focused partnership with Defence representatives—setting a new benchmark for contractor collaboration within the Defence sector.

“We knew that how we delivered was as important as what we delivered. It was about building credibility, earning trust, and showing Defence that we understood the environment they operate in.”
— Trevor Hall

•  Working within a high-security, compliance-intensive Defence framework
• Managing schedule and interface risks across multiple facility components
• Coordinating airfield and road works without disrupting ongoing operations
• Delivering within a climate of high scrutiny, public accountability, and rigid safety requirements

• Delivered to scope and program requirements, with high satisfaction from the client
• Established a trusted delivery relationship between the contractor and Defence
• Set the tone and framework for a new, collaborative Defence–Contractor engagement model
• Directly led to the award of multiple subsequent Defence infrastructure projects based on the trust, performance and delivery integrity demonstrated

The Townsville Field Training Facility project exemplifies HCE Advisory’s lived experience in complex Defence delivery, relationship-based contracting, and performance-led engagement. Trevor’s leadership not only ensured project success, it reshaped the nature of how Defence and contractors could work together moving forward.

This approach—built on execution, trust and alignment—remains central to how HCE Advisory supports government and regulated-sector clients today.

Located west of Brisbane, RAAF Base Amberley is Australia’s largest air force base and a critical hub for defence operations. The civil and accommodation works delivered at Amberley were part of a broader program to expand and modernise defence infrastructure in Queensland.

The project provided the platform for market entry into the defence sector for the business, with both Trevor Hall and Struan Collins (now co-founders of HCE Advisory) playing central roles in the project’s success.

Trevor and Struan were both instrumental in shaping the strategy, structure, and execution approach that enabled the contractor to deliver within the highly complex operating environment of a live defence base.

Trevor focused on ensuring clear alignment between the project team and the client’s real (though not always fully articulated) needs—establishing a collaborative working model that created trust, clarity, and confidence from the outset. His approach was instrumental in positioning the business as a credible, capable, and value-adding partner in the defence sector.

Struan held operational responsibility on the ground, leading the delivery interface, managing logistics, and coordinating construction in a live defence environment where operational integrity, safety, and compliance were paramount.

• Navigating delivery within a secure, live operational defence facility
• Aligning the delivery model with client needs that were evolving and often implicit
• Managing stakeholder interfaces across Defence, contractors, and base personnel
• Establishing credibility for a new market entrant in a high-trust sector
• Balancing the demands of program certainty with the rigour of Defence standards

• Delivered high-quality civil and accommodation infrastructure works safely, on time, and on budget
• Established a trusted delivery relationship with Defence stakeholders
• Created a springboard for future defence sector opportunities
• Demonstrated an ability to operate in constrained and regulated environments
• Set the cultural tone for collaboration, security sensitivity, and respect for base operations

This project marked a significant milestone in the careers of HCE Advisory’s founders. It was not only the beginning of their shared journey into the Defence infrastructure sector but also a lasting example of how clarity, empathy, and strategic focus can open new markets.

The success at Amberley is a testament to their philosophy: understand what the client truly needs—not just what is said—and deliver in a way that earns trust, respect, and future opportunity.

The Ravenhall Correctional Centre was delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the Victorian Government and represents one of the most complex and high, security social infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Australia. The facility was designed to meet exacting standards for security, rehabilitation, and operational performance—while also aligning to contractual performance benchmarks and public interest outcomes.

The project involved integration across government, operators, equity investors, and the design–construction team, under intense political and public scrutiny.

Trevor Hall held full accountability for the contractor’s delivery of the Ravenhall Correctional Centre, guiding the team through a highly complex PPP structure and overseeing execution through one of the most challenging risk environments imaginable.

In the midst of delivery, one of the project’s integral partners, responsible for a critical technology solution, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States, triggering an immediate loss of access to proprietary systems and locking up the associated IP. This development posed a material threat to both program delivery and contractual performance.

Trevor’s calm leadership and strategic risk approach enabled the team to pivot decisively. He spearheaded a first, of, its, kind modern methods of construction (MMC) strategy—well before the term became common in the industry, mobilising an alternative solution that met both technical and security requirements while preserving program continuity.

“We couldn’t afford to pause. We had to lead forward, with a calm head, a new strategy, and absolute accountability. Innovation wasn’t optional—it was essential.”
— Trevor Hall

• Operating within a complex PPP structure with layered contractual and performance obligations
• Navigating emerging delivery risk caused by international insolvency of a key      technology supplier
• Maintaining progress on a highly secure, time, sensitive, politically significant project
• Realigning delivery approach under pressure while ensuring no compromise on compliance or quality
• Collaborating across multiple jurisdictions and stakeholder levels in a correctional environment

• Successfully pivoted to an alternative delivery method using innovative MMC principles
• Recovered critical program risk and maintained client and stakeholder confidence
• Delivered the first prison infrastructure solution of its kind in Australia using an optimised modular strategy
• Established a new delivery benchmark that has informed correctional facility strategy across jurisdictions nationally
• Strengthened the client–contractor relationship under pressure through structured      communication and risk transparency

Ravenhall Correctional Centre stands as a hallmark of resilience, adaptability, and modern leadership in public infrastructure delivery. Trevor’s ability to lead through volatility, while protecting performance, compliance, and reputation, demonstrates the very capabilities that define HCE Advisory’s approach to complex social infrastructure delivery today.

This project has since informed emerging best practice in the design and delivery of correctional infrastructure for government clients across multiple Australian jurisdictions.

The Melbourne Coronial Centre was commissioned by the Victorian Government as a direct response to one of the state’s most devastating natural disasters. The facility was designed to consolidate essential coronial services under one roof—uniting courtrooms, forensic laboratories, and support spaces within a single, purpose-built environment.

Combining the sensitivities of a legal precinct with the precision requirements of a high-standard scientific facility, this project demanded an exceptional approach to quality, detail, and stakeholder collaboration.

Trevor Hall held full business accountability for the project—responsible for ensuring delivery to the highest standards, on time and on budget. This included overseeing project strategy, client alignment, and the governance framework required for successful execution.

Under Trevor’s leadership, the delivery team embraced the complexity of the dual-function facility, developing a culture of excellence that matched the expectations of both judicial and scientific stakeholders.

His leadership focus was clear: set the benchmark for public sector infrastructure through exacting execution, stakeholder trust, and an unrelenting pursuit of quality.

•  Integrating forensic laboratory environments with sensitive court facilities
•  Delivering to strict laboratory-grade specifications across multiple disciplines
•  Managing stakeholder expectations from both legal and scientific user groups
•  Responding to high community visibility and government accountability
•  Ensuring flawless finishes and architectural excellence throughout the building

• Facility delivered to the highest laboratory and architectural standard
• Met all time and budget commitments despite technical complexity
• Exceptional quality outcomes across forensic and judicial zone
• Government and stakeholder acclaim for responsiveness and professionalism
• Legacy infrastructure asset that set a new benchmark for integrated civic facilities

The Melbourne Coronial Centre project exemplifies HCE Advisory’s deep understanding of complex, cross-discipline civic infrastructure. Trevor’s leadership ensured not only compliance with demanding standards—but the creation of a facility that instilled confidence, trust, and pride in its users and the broader community.

This project remains a testament to our capacity to navigate sensitive public sector environments, integrate complex technical requirements, and lead with purpose under public scrutiny.