Utility partnerships herald ‘new era’ in infrastructure works delivery

Australia’s largest capital is set for a water sector supply chain makeover, with Sydney Water announcing new 10-year partnerships to deliver end-to-end design, construction, maintenance and facilities management on a range of water and wastewater infrastructure. 

Partnering with three newly established Regional Delivery Consortia in the north, south and west of the Sydney region, Sydney Water will invest at least $4 billion in infrastructure under its new Partnering for Success (P4S) delivery model.

Sydney Water Managing Director Roch Cheroux said each consortium would have a team focused entirely on managing delivery and relationships in the area. 

“Each region will now have a dedicated and fully integrated team, enabling us to build stronger relationships with residents, businesses, councils and local infrastructure providers, to get the best results for our customers, community and the environment,” he said. 

Implementation of the model is expected to create 1200 jobs over the next decade, Cheroux said, as well as support local industry. 

“The new model will continue to support the wider supply chain and drive competition for small businesses as they will be able to bid for a significant stake in projects through shared purchasing,” he said. 

“These long-term arrangements have enabled the regional teams to build a pathway of skilled resources to support the needs of a growing city, with the cultural and gender diversity to build a strong integrated workforce. 

“From apprenticeship programs through to engagement with universities, the future skills and resources will be an ongoing legacy of the program. The regional-based model will help deliver further efficiencies, improve network resilience and deliver the services we know our customers need and want.”

South Region consortium member Mal Shepherd said the model had established a new way forward in project delivery for water service providers. 

“All the consortia teams are excited to be working in partnership with Sydney Water on the P4S framework over the next 10 years,” he said. 

“P4S has established a new era in the delivery of capital and maintenance services in an integrated and end-to-end operating environment across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.

“It really is bringing the very best innovations and expertise from across both the public and private sectors to one of the most important and essential services for our community.”

The Regional Delivery Consortia include:

• North RDC – Confluence Water 
  • Broadspectrum
  • Downer Utilities Australia
  • Jacobs 
• South RDC – Delivering for Customers 
  • Comdain Infrastructure
  • John Holland
  • Lendlease Services
  • WSP
• West RDC – West Region Delivery Team
  • Stantec
  • Atlas Personnel Services
  • Abergeldie Contractors
  • Fulton Hogan Industries
  • Programmed Facility Management