SA Water is collaborating with five major infrastructure companies to deliver a record capital works program over the next four years.
The capital program includes an unprecedented $1.5 billion investment, announced as a key initiative of the Housing Roadmap, to increase the capacity of the water and sewer network through upgrades to pipes, pump stations and tanks, unlocking a potential 40,000 new allotments across the state.
Major framework agreements for up to $600 million each have now been executed between SA Water and Fulton Hogan Utilities, John Holland and Guidera O’Connor (as a joint venture), and McConnell Dowell and Diona (as a joint venture).
The new agreements represent contract extensions for all five contractors, who have applied their significant construction expertise on projects improving water and sewer services for South Australians as part of SA Water’s 2020-24 capital program.
South Australian Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Nick Champion, said,“Central to delivering SA Water’s record capital program is having a skilled workforce and leveraging the vast experience the construction industry possesses.
“Investing in our state’s water infrastructure will create hundreds of jobs, which are fundamental to delivering the services that will enable our state’s growth and prosperity.”
Pre-construction work has already started to deliver critical water and sewer infrastructure required to build more houses.
Infrastructure projects will primarily target Adelaide’s northern growth front, including areas such as Angle Vale, Riverlea and Roseworthy, to maximise the number of new homes enabled through this investment.
All five of SA Water’s major construction partners are set to play an ongoing role in delivering this critical growth infrastructure, with on-site investigations now underway.
Fulton Hogan Utilities, McConnell Dowell and Diona are undertaking work along Andrews Road in Munno Para and Sunnydale Avenue in Gawler East to inform the alignments for new underground trunk water and sewer mains.
Additionally, McConnell Dowell and Diona have established a stockpile of more than 500 large pipes in Virginia that are ready for installation in the coming months.
Civil Contractors Federation SA’s CEO, Rebecca Pickering, said it is now more important than ever to harness the knowledge and expertise of civil contractors and work in partnership to deliver this critical infrastructure.
“These major framework agreements are another vote of confidence in the industry’s capacity and capability to meet the needs of an unprecedented investment in South Australia’s water and sewer systems.”
The scale of SA Water’s capital program means several minor framework agreements have also been awarded. Up to $262 million will currently be allocated over the four-year program.
Other major projects to be delivered by the framework partners include upgrades to SA Water’s Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant to prepare it for future growth and replacing large sections of the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline.
SA Water also recently awarded two-year contract extensions to engineering firms Aurecon and KBR. These firms will continue providing engineering, design, and program management services across the utility’s capital program.
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