6 Apr 2006 - ‘Historic’ Contract Awarded for Key Projects

Some of the largest contractors in Australia are to work with Council in an Alliance partnership on four key infrastructure projects worth around $85m.

Abigroup, John Holland, GHD and Aquatec Maxcon were the successful tenderers for the construction of the Coffs Harbour Water Reclamation Plant, the Coffs Harbour Water Treatment Plant, the Hogbin Drive bridge and the Multi-purpose Centre.

"The Alliance partnerships Council developed for the upgrade of the Woolgoolga Water Reclamation Plant and the Deep Sea Release were hugely successful," said Councillor Gavin Smithers, Chair of Council's City Services Committee. "So Council has no hesitation in using the same method on these major projects," he said.

Geoff Newton, Council's Acting Director of City Services, said the Alliance method of contracting allowed Council and its partners to work collaboratively to pursue technological innovations, resource sharing and other cost-effective measures.

"In the case of the Woolgoolga Reclamation Plant, for example, the Alliance was able to make cost savings of at least $1m and produce innovative designs that would not normally be done in traditional forms of contracting," he said.

Councillor Bill Palmer said the awarding of the contract was an historic moment. "It's a giant step forward for infrastructure in this city," he said.

With a surplus of work in the construction industry, Council opted to combine a number of projects to increase the attraction of the contract and ensure that the best teams from each firm would be engaged.

Abigroup and John Holland are two of the largest contractors in Australia, while GHD is the biggest engineering consultancy.

Following the awarding of the contract, Council and its Alliance partners will develop concept plans and costings for each project.

Further Information:

Sara Hinds, Media Officer, 6648 4093/0407 227818