Built to protect: ENSEAM^® walling at Kirwan Police Facility

Australia’s first all-in-one community safety precinct

Townsville, home to over 200,000 residents, has a new landmark police facility that better coordinates the Queensland Police Service's (QPS) policing capabilities, placing them where they are most needed and effective.

Opened in February 2026 at the former North Queensland Cowboys headquarters on Golf Links Drive, the state-of-the-art Kirwan Police Facility is Australia’s first all-in-one community safety precinct. It includes a police station and academy, Policelink call centre and various administrative functions, along with a 24/7 non-urgent contact centre. 

The opening of the facility marks the completion of Stage 1 of the complex and breaks new ground for the city. It provides residents with adequate policing resources to ensure public safety in line with evolving community needs. Its co-location promotes collaboration among specialist units, resulting in more effective policing services for the community.

LYSAGHT ENSEAM® was chosen as the exterior wall cladding for the entire facility, spanning three stories and covering 2,000 m2. 

FKG Group constructed the facility for the Department of Energy and Public Works (DEPW). CA Architects designed the building in collaboration with DEPW and QPS, while MATZ Roofing was appointed as installer. The project also involved partnerships between Major Projects, QBuild, the Queensland Government Accommodation Office and the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

A balance of high functionality, durability and compliance

The main purpose of the facility is to provide the efficient delivery of the required police station and district support functions, while also futureproofing QPS’ operational requirements for years to come.

This objective presents a key challenge. All materials used, particularly the wall cladding, must meet a dual mandate: Be highly functional and durable in demanding conditions while also satisfying compliance and regulatory testing requirements. 

Given Townsville’s location, such standards are stricter compared to other non-cyclonic areas of Australia. Townsville falls within a high-wind, cyclonic zone (C/B), meaning compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and wind action standards is essential i.e. Importance Level 3 (IL3) and Importance Level 4 (IL4) performance classifications. Wall cladding and façade materials must meet the AS/NZS 1170.2 wind-rating requirements, undergo debris-impact testing and align with state guidelines for cyclone-resilient construction.

Why was ENSEAM® the definitive solution?

The key to meeting such strict requirements was selecting the right wall cladding material that met functionality, durability, compliance, and aesthetic standards. ENSEAM® was the ideal choice, as it is cyclone-rated, impact-resistant, low-maintenance, and compliant with QLD and NCC standards.

ENSEAM® 265 was used in BMT 0.55mm, in colours Basalt® and Southerly®, for the entire exterior wall cladding, wrapping around the entire precinct. The wide flat profile gives a modern, premium finish, further enhanced by its concealed fixed flat panel system. 

ENSEAM® also provided a robust, long-warranty, non-combustible solution that aligned with current NCC requirements, which was critical to the project.

By using ENSEAM®, the project avoided delays and budget overruns, ensuring a high-quality image for both government stakeholders and the community.

How ENSEAM® conveys a modern, community-oriented identity

The choice of wall cladding is driven first and foremost by functionality and compliance, but its aesthetic qualities are equally intentional. Because of its sleek, clean and contemporary design, ENSEAM® was the perfect solution for reflecting the facility's organisational values.

“When it came to design, thoughtful composition of colour, texture and rhythm was a priority in order to make the building feel approachable and community-oriented, without compromising security or authority,” said Mark Duffin, Associate Director at CA Architects.

“The facility incorporates a range of materials, including masonry, glazing and metal elements, creating a layered and durable architectural expression. ENSEAM® easily complements these materials as a refined, lightweight counterpoint to the heavier masonry. The result is a balanced material palette that is equally robust and visually cohesive,” said Duffin.

An installation process made seamless with innovative thinking

Efficient installation of the wall cladding was crucial for staying within the project timeline.

In a proactive move to ensure the installation process kept on track, the installer, MATZ Roofing, incorporated the use of foam cell insulation to minimise any potential oil canning. Inserting a resilient foam layer between the wall cladding and the framing creates a more forgiving interface that helps lessen the severity of visible waviness.

The purposeful selection of the two colour schemes – Basalt® and Southerly® – helps reduce the visibility of any oil canning that may occur, ensuring that the façade maintained its sharp, clean lines.

Additionally, the installation timeline was significantly reduced because the product was manufactured locally, enabling faster delivery to the site. 

Managing project challenges with minimal impact

While the overall build of the facility progressed smoothly, it wasn’t without broader project management pressures, driven by unpredictable weather and the complexities of coordinating multiple stakeholders.

Townsville’s unpredictable cyclonic weather made it difficult to adhere to set timeframes. The town experienced an unusually wet season during 2024-25, right in the middle of the development. Heavy downpours, along with frequent high-wind events, halted construction several times.

Another major challenge was managing stakeholders and the community. This large-scale development involved multiple government agencies and a dense, active urban community. Coordinating these aspects required addressing competing priorities, navigating approval cycles, and meeting layered compliance requirements, all while minimising disruption to surrounding residents and businesses.

Overall, the working relationship among all participants was highly collaborative and focused on finding solutions, which contributed to the project's success. Each individual brought strong technical expertise and together, they maintained a shared commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for the project.

All parties also provided clear assurances around quality and rectification. This instils confidence that any issues encountered during the project will be identified early and resolved quickly, without compromising performance or compliance.

A landmark police facility for generations to come

The facility is part of a larger precinct that will include a modern police academy, set to open in the 2029/30 financial year, along with specialised spaces for the Youth Co-Responder Team, Rapid Action Patrol Group, and Tactical Crime Squad. ENSEAM® will be used in the second stage of the facility, building on its successful performance and aesthetic qualities.