Aurecon and KBR join forces to deliver water infrastructure in NSW
by Water Source
A new partnership will manage drought response and water security projects from start to finish in New South Wales (NSW), improving sustainability and resilience for communities.
WaterNSW awarded the contract for its water infrastructure Portfolio Delivery Management to WaterSecure, a joint venture between engineering, design and advisory firm Aurecon and KBR.
The businesses will collaborate with WaterNSW on the delivery of major water security projects around the state.
Aurecon CEO Australia and New Zealand Louise Adams said the seven-year partnership would demonstrate the strength of the companies’ combined engineering and advisory capabilities.
“We will work with WaterNSW to build a high-performing portfolio delivery team committed to leaving a legacy of trusted capital delivery capability and of assets that will generate community, social, and environmental benefits,” Adams said.
“The Aurecon/KBR WaterSecure joint venture extends the strong collaboration between our two companies, having supported the management of SA Water’s capital plan program in South Australia since mid-2019, which will involve more than $1.2 billion in investment over the regulatory period.
“We will bring the expertise and knowledge from this work to our NSW delivery.”
WaterNSW’s water infrastructure capital works portfolio includes projects in various stages of planning and delivery.
The first tranche of the portfolio outlines new dam projects, including Upper Mole River Dam, the Dungowan Dam and the Wyangala Dam Wall Raising, which are required for drought-affected rural areas.
The new major dam projects are expected to be challenging, but will deliver significant long-term water security benefits to regional communities, providing additional water storage capacity and irrigation for towns.
Aurecon Water Industry Director Kevin Werksman said the portfolio of WaterNSW projects was a national priority and would leave a legacy of water resilience for regional NSW.
“We’re leading the way towards achieving an important and noble goal – to improve the state’s regional and metropolitan water security for more sustainable, resilient and thriving communities,” Werksman said.
“The portfolio management and project governance that Aurecon and KBR will provide will drive all program and project delivery activities, spanning business case development, financing and approvals, program planning, contractor procurement, construction performance management, commissioning and asset handover.”
The portfolio will require timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects, working closely with the supply chain, industry, stakeholders and the community to maximise local opportunities from these investments.
Infrastructure Australia Vice President Wayne Nolan said the Aurecon/KBR collaboration with WaterNSW had the organisation’s full support.
“We are fully committed to the successful delivery of WaterNSW’s capital program. KBR will bring together our local expertise, digital solutions and best practice experience from similar programs of work across Australia,” he said.
“The team is dedicated to working collaboratively with Aurecon and WaterNSW to deliver improved water security and drought resilience for our communities.”
