ASSET OWNER Inner West Council
CONTRACTOR Sydneywide Cement Renderers & Painters Pty Ltd
SECTOR Sports Infrastructure
Products
- Cemtop Screed
- Renderoc HB40 Plus
The Project
Henson Park in Marrickville is one of Sydney’s most iconic suburban sporting venues, hosting AFLW home games for the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants, rugby league fixtures and a range of community sporting events. As part of a major $20 million renovation project, remedial works were undertaken on the heritage-listed King George V Grandstand to restore deteriorated concrete surfaces and prepare the structure for a new waterproofing system.
Sydneywide Cement Renderers & Painters Pty Ltd, led by Managing Director Nuno Paula, was engaged to carry out the remediation works, with Fosroc’s Cemtop Screed selected as the primary floor repair and levelling solution.
Deteriorated grandstand a major challenge
The existing topping throughout the King George V Grandstand had significantly deteriorated over time. Large areas were delaminating from the substrate, while sections of the structure showed evidence of cracking, moisture ingress and localised rust damage.
The age and movement of the structure created additional complexity. The grandstand sits on steel beam supports, and over time independent movement within the structure had caused recurring cracking in the topping layer.
“Every time the grandstand moved, the beams were moving independently and cracking the topping,” Nuno said.
Before resurfacing could begin, the team needed to remove the failed topping, repair rust-affected areas, reinstate damaged concrete sections and add new control joints - all while preserving the integrity of the heritage structure.
Collaborative technical support and planning
Tim Morris, Fosroc ANZ Business Development Manager, worked closely with the contractor and builder throughout the project to understand the condition of the existing structure, the required repair depths, site access limitations and project expectations.
The Fosroc ANZ team recommended Renderoc HB40 Plus for initial repairs, followed by Cemtop Screed to create a level, durable surface ready for the subsequent epoxy waterproofing system.
“Cemtop Screed was the ideal choice for the Henson Park remediation because it allowed the contractor to achieve a strong, durable screed across varying repair depths without the need for traditional sand cement screeds,” Tim said. “This engineered screed system can be applied from 3mm to 40mm in a single layer, so there's no need for multiple build-up applications.”
Tim also emphasised the product’s on-site benefits, “As a single-component product, Cemtop Screed eliminated the need for on-site batching, and required only the addition of clean water, which helped simplify installation and improve consistency.”
Prior to screeding, the contractors completed extensive remedial preparation works using Renderoc HB40 Plus to rebuild damaged sections and repair areas affected by corrosion. New movement joints were also introduced throughout the structure to better manage ongoing structural movement.
“We created a 10-millimetre joint all the way through,” Nuno explained. “Now, when the grandstand moves, it cracks in the joint position instead.”
The assurance of on-site guidance and support
As the project progressed, Tim and the Fosroc ANZ team provided detailed guidance around substrate preparation, product mixing and the priming, application and curing processes. This support reduced installation risk and helped avoid unnecessary delays.
“We had Fosroc ANZ coming out two or three times during the project,” Nuno said. “When we removed the existing topping, we called them out to site to inspect the remaining substrate with the engineer and builder to make sure everything was in order before we moved forward.”
“Fosroc were more than just a supplier,” he continues. “Their technical support and practical problem-solving approach made the installation smoother and gave everyone confidence in the final outcome.”
Long-term durability
Completed over approximately four months, the remediation works formed part of the broader $20 million Henson Park redevelopment, jointly funded by Inner West Council, the NSW Government, the Australian Government and the AFL.
As part of the wider upgrade, the Fosroc remediation solution helped restore and protect the ageing grandstand structure. Cemtop Screed delivered a fast, reliable and durable repair solution that improved finish quality, reduced labour time and prepared the structure for long-term protection.
Find out more
Contact your local Fosroc ANZ specialist using the form at the bottom of this page.
