Fitzwalter Group Pty Limited

On 1 July 2007, Fitzwalter Joined WSP Australia

Fitzwalter joining with WSP Australia propels the company from a boutique Project Management consultancy (specialising in Property, Planning and Remediation/Environmental Management) to being part of the Australian representative company of one of the world's fastest growing environmental firms.

The WSP Group worldwide has a driving ambition to become the most eminent Environmental Consultancy in the world.

WSP Australia has been rapidly expanding by acquiring key well established and successful companies and personnel in its bid to gain further market penetration in the Australasian Region. In joining this elite group, Fitzwalter brings unique skills not previously available within WSP Australia - that of Project Management and Property Development with a particular focus on contaminated sites.

As the General Manager of Fitzwalter, Anthony Fitzsimmons welcomes the opportunity to be able to promote Fitzwalter's skills across Australia saying that expansion of the Fitzwalter client base has been constrained by our staff numbers and geographic concentration.

Fitzwalter personnel are to be primarily responsible for developing the property and planning business function, for training new personnel, and nurturing the growth of this new component of WSP Australia.

Anthony Fitzsimmons sees the merger as a most exciting development for all at Fitzwalter which jointly opens up new and expanded career and growth opportunities for all the personnel. Furthermore, it will enable WSP Australia to reach higher targets of profitability and reward for its personnel.

Background of Fitzwalter Group

In March 1993, the Fitzwalter Group was initially formed to establish a property advisory, development and project management organisation principally focused on clients interests through identifying opportunities to add value, enhancing property investment returns and/or capitalising on the development or redevelopment potential of assets.

In all of our assignments and management tasks Fitzwalter Group take a holistic approach to achieve the desired outcomes, incorporating a selection of the most appropriate expertise for the tasks at hand, development of an appropriate strategy, establishing working relationships with key personnel in relevant government agencies, councils, and elected representatives in all levels of government.

The Project Directors of the company aim to provide a personal service link. A Project Director is assigned to manage each project, whom clients are able to liaise directly with at anytime.

We are dedicated to providing our services efficiently, effectively and with the highest standard of professionalism. Our services provide a focus on discreet, direct tasks for our clients, with no conflicts of interest.

The company provides independent advice on all aspects of development, real estate, building and operational matters, utilising the knowledge and experience gained in the development, management, construction, sale and leasing of property over many years in the industry.

We are actively involved in Continuing Professional Development programmes which enable us to maintain current knowledge of industry standards and trends, while keeping abreast of legislative changes affecting the industry.

We have a large and varied industry contact base ensuring access to information on the range of new technology, systems, materials, and market transactions in sales, leasing, and development.

Our offices are open from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30AM to 5:30PM (except Public Holidays).

Services Fitzwalter Group provides

master planning and development management

project management

environmental investigation and management

strategic corporate property advice

advocacy, consultation and government liaison

sale processes and due diligence

heritage asset management

site closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation management

property management and maintenance

construction and fitout management

	// PROJECT PROFILE: THORNTON PARK, NORTH PENRITH

			Fitzwalter Group was engaged on this significant 50 hectares site to progress the site rezoning, master plan and necessary remediation works. Fitzwalter has successfully achieved delivery of the new LEP and Master Plan/DCP. The site won the award for Best Urban Design from the NSW Planning Institute of Australia in November 2002. The Mayor of Penrith personally congratulated the Fitzwalter Group in the development of the master plan which capitalised on the opportunities of the site.

	// PROJECT PROFILE: RANDWICK BARRACKS, RANDWICK

			Fitzwalter Group initiated and co-ordinated an extensive project team in preparing a disposal plan for one of the largest development sites in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Stage 1A, with a developable area of 2 hectares representing about 12% of the site, was recently sold for $56M. Fitzwalter Group has managed the value adding process including a master plan, rezoning proposals and all development applications for subdivision together with the construction of civil infrastructure.

	// PROJECT PROFILE: PASMINCO COCKLE CREEK SMELTER SITE, LAKE MACQUARIE

			Fitzwalter Group has been appointed by Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter to manage an exit strategy, through a value adding process, from its property asset known as the Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter which ceased operations in September 2003. The primary objective of the project is to ensure the asset is rationalised in the shortest possible time frame whilst maximising the sites value having regard to the sites opportunities and constraints. Fitzwalter’s role is to develop a land use and remediation strategy together with the initial management of the remediation and redevelopment process prior to a staged realisation.

	// PROJECT PROFILE: ZETLAND, SOUTH SYDNEY

			Fitzwalter Group was engaged on behalf of the Commonwealth who sold a 25 hectare site to Landcom on the basis the Commonwealth would be liable for all remediation costs while the implementation of remediation works would be undertaken by Landcom. Fitzwalter was charged with the responsibility of representing the clients interest during the remediation of the site and monitoring of Landcom’s responsibilities as defined in the Contract for Sale and Remediation Works Deed. Our due diligence process resulted in the client paying only a portion of the agreed budget for the remediation works, as actual costs were substantially below the agreed budget costs.

	// PROJECT PROFILE: LILYDALE QUARRY, VICTORIA

			The Fitzwalter Group has been engaged by a large international mining company to provide advice on property, tenure, planning, environmental, rehabilitation and redevelopment issues pertaining to a quarry in Victoria. Fitzwalter has undertaken a review of the current mine operations plan with a view to identifying a forward program for the redevelopment of surplus areas of the site. Following the initial assessment the Fitzwalter Group has provided advice on the planning approvals framework and prepared a preliminary financial feasibility on the redevelopment potential of part of the site, whilst considering ongoing mining operations.

	// PROJECT PROFILE: BHP STEELWORKS SITE, NEWCASTLE

			Engaged by the Regional Land Management Corporation (RLMC) the Fitzwalter Group was required to manage the preparation of a land use master plan for the BHP Steelworks site. The master plan would subsequently inform the preparation of a preliminary site servicing strategy prior to seeking a formal commitment of $8.3m in funding of infrastructure (waste treatment facility, rail line and road upgrade works) from NSW Treasury. Fitzwalter engaged and managed a number of specialist consultants in order to meet the RLMC's objective of submitting a proposal to the Cabinet Standing Committee on the Budget in August 2006. The aim of the submission was to obtain State Government approval to commence a marketing and land allocation process in the form of an Expressions of Interest campaign. The Fitzwalter Group has also provided advice to the RLMC in relation to planning approval processes particularly the opportunities available from obtaining the Ministers consent to listing the site as a significant site under the Major Projects State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects SEPP).