The Lidcombe Rise development comprises four apartment towers featuring more than 300 private, social and affordable one-to-three-bedroom apartments, a childcare centre, and a retail precinct in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment and education hub, close to Lidcombe Town Centre and major transportation.

The challenge

Given the size and scale of Lidcombe Rise and its proximity to a major train line, the complex’s exterior masonry coatings had to be easy to maintain and resist dirt accumulation, pollution pick-up, shrinkage and cracking. On the predominantly north-facing exterior, it was vital the coatings could endure constant sunlight and resist UV fade while providing colour consistency and a quality finish. Inside the building, the interior products needed to provide a high degree of washability to support ongoing maintenance.

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The solution

Billbergia Senior Project Manager, Chris Kang explains that a rigorous process was undertaken to select an internal and external finishes partner.

“We followed a very careful selection methodology. We wanted to ensure the products specified could meet our preferred supply and application timings while also offering a high quality finish and excellent warranty,” Chris says.

“Dulux were very proactive. They got involved quite early and got the specifications done for all internal and external finishes, which made it smooth sailing from the beginning.”

Together with the wider Dulux Commercial team, Dulux National Specification Manager, Hoodad Mehrbod, worked closely with Billbergia Group to develop a tailored DuSpec+ paints and coatings project specification to meet the specific requirements of this project.

Product range and benefits

Given the size and scale of Lidcombe Rise and its close proximity to a major train line, the system of products applied to the building’s exterior masonry surfaces needed to provide long term protection. They also needed to be able to withstand and resist dirt and pollution pick-up, and be easy to maintain.

To protect the concrete walls, a Dulux Acratex system of Green Render Sealer and AcraShield Advance was applied.

The application of a 2-coat AcraShield Advance topcoat was used as it is a high build, elastomeric performance coating that is weather resistant, has crack bridging capabilities, and provides a 15-year warranty.

The building’s soffits were coated in Dulux Acratex AcraSkin, a high performance elastomeric membrane that delivers weatherproofing properties and crack bridging protection to ensure long-term exterior durability.

The planter boxes and the lower level walls around the expansive walkways that surround Lidcombe Rise were coated in a full Dulux Acratex render and texture topcoat system of RenderWall AcraBuild Plus, Tuscany Fine and top-coated with AcraShield Advance.

Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen was applied to steel door frames and timber doors, chosen for its weather protection and long-lasting colour.

New concrete ceilings, beams and walls were painted with Dulux Professional Acrylic Sealer Undercoat and hardwearing Dulux Weathershield Matt.

Internally, new plasterboard ceilings were painted with Dulux Professional’s made-for-spray Fast Finish Undercoat and Ceiling Flat. The same products were used on internal walls, with the addition of Dulux Professional Interior Acrylic Low Sheen. Dulux Professional Fast Finish is a highly cost-effective product choice. Spraying greatly reduces the time required to apply, lowering labour costs while still producing a premium finish.

Within the apartments themselves, Dulux Wash&Wear was chosen for its premium washability, which can be wiped clean again and again.

Dulux Protective Coatings Roadmaster A1 in yellow was used for line marking in the basement and car park. Roadmaster A1 is a single pack, highly durable, fast dry road marking paint.

Efficiency, fast turnaround and colour consistency

“The fast turnaround made possible with Dulux products helped keep the project on track,” explains Chris.

“In particular Dulux Professional Fast Finish, with its efficient spray application, saved considerable time and cost.

“Dulux Acratex products were extensively applied to literally kilometres of walkways as well as on the large number of planter boxes across the development’s numerous gardens and rooftop terraces. We appreciated that the colour of the render and paint was consistent.

“The Dulux Acratex application process was also very efficient,” Chris says.

Timely product supply and warranties

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Dulux supplied all products to agreed deadlines, enabling application to proceed according to the project schedule.

Another element of the Dulux advantage on this project was product warranties.

“We wanted products that will go the distance. We expect durability, and that’s what Dulux has delivered, backed by excellent warranty periods,” says Chris.

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Project outcomes

“Any problems with paint and coatings usually surface quite early, but we have had absolutely nothing of that sort with Dulux. It’s reassuring to know that Dulux products have that integrity and durability we expect at Billbergia. We know and trust that the Dulux brand is synonymous with reliability and quality.

“I found working with Hoodad to be excellent. He is delightful to work with and very knowledgeable. His partnership on the project was another factor in its success.

“Overall, we were impressed with Dulux’s support throughout the project. They delivered what they promised and worked with us to achieve the outcomes intended in the most efficient and effective way, from both a time and cost factor,” says Chris.

Project honours

Lidcombe Rise was recognised with several accolades including the 2023 Boomtown! Project of the Year Awards (Outstanding Affordable Housing Project) and the 2023 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards (Affordable Residential Development).

Products specified

New plasterboard ceilings

Dulux Professional® FASTFINISH™ Undercoat & Ceiling Flat

Interior beams to basement back of house block, brick, masonry

Berger Gold Label Acrylic Block Filler
Dulux Wash&Wear® Low Sheen

New plasterboard walls

Dulux Professional® FASTFINISH™ Undercoat & Ceiling Flat
Dulux Professional® Interior Low Sheen

Interior timber doors and trims

Exterior Zincanneal® door frames

Exterior timber door frames

Dulux Professional® Preparation Total Prep®
Dulux Aquanamel® Semi Gloss

External timber battens

Dulux Weathershield® Low Sheen

Concrete, brick, off form

Dulux Acratex Green Render Sealer
Dulux Acratex AcraShield Advance Matt

Exterior soffits

Dulux Acratex Green Render Sealer
Dulux Acratex AcraSkin

Garden planter boxes and low walls along walkways

Dulux Acratex RenderWall AcraBuild Plus
Dulux Acratex Green Render Sealer
Dulux Acratex Tuscany Fine
Dulux Acratex AcraShield Advance

Car park and basement road marking

Dulux Protective Coatings Roadmaster® A1 (yellow)

New car park concrete floors

Dulux Protective Coatings Luxafloor WB Gloss

Project details

Project: Lidcombe Rise

Location: 4 Church Street, Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW

Client and Project Manager: Billbergia Group

Architect: Plus Architecture

Project Partners: NSW Land & Housing Corporation, Evolve Housing

Applicators: Golden Eagle Painting and Sydney Wide Rendering

Project Scope: Interior floors, ceilings and walls, and exterior steel, timber and concrete

Products: Dulux Paints, Dulux Acratex and Dulux Protective Coatings

Year: 2023

Architecture & Design Team

Dulux

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