Just 12 months after the arrival of 510 metres of large diameter HDPE pipework from Thailand, the Daldy Street Outfall has been handed over to Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters. Wynyard Edge Alliance (WEA) consisting of McConnell Dowell, Downer, Beca, Tonkin & Taylor and Auckland Council carried out the work.
Relocation of the existing outfall within Wynyard Basin was required to improve water quality within the basin after the breakwaters had been installed that provided tranquility for the forthcoming 36th Americas Cup.
The new extension runs along the entire length of Wynyard Point, an area formed nearly 100 years ago by reclamation from the Waitemata Harbour. A basalt breakwater was formed around its perimeter and infilled with hydraulic fill and excavated arisings from the CBD development. Historically, the area had been used for heavy industry – gas works, fuel storage and was heavily contaminated.
The design of the new pipeline determined the pipe to be 3 metres in diameter for its upstream half, expanding to 3.5 metres diameter for the downstream half. HDPE pipe, in 15 metre lengths was ordered from Uponor in Thailand and delivered onto Wynyard Wharf last September.
A 5 metre deep excavation was required for the new pipeline which was tidally influenced. Key to the successful outcome of the project was the ground stabilisation required to support the western face of the excavation, the eastern face being the existing 100 year old basalt breakwater. The design finalised on the “Cutter Soil Mix” methodology (CSM) which injects grout through rotary cutter heads driven into the ground, forming panels of stabilised ground to a depth of up to 8 metres, locking in place the contaminated material typical of the site.
Excavation for the pipeline was carried out between the CSM stabilised wall and the basalt breakwater, typically 2-3 metres below tide level. A sophisticated array of temporary works schemes were designed to hang concrete cradles at each pipe joint position, lower the pipes into place, flood the annulus of the HDPE pipe to sink the buoyant pipes, pour flowable fill under the pipe to provide support, then adding cement to the excavated material to produce mudcrete and backfill the pipe. This installation cycle was repeated typically every 4 days.
A new outfall end structure was constructed at the northern end of the pipeline, on the tip of Wynyard Point. Pre-cast panels with a featured pattern and black oxide coluring help blend the new structure in with the existing basalt breakwater were used for this structure. A steel frame was set 1 metre below lowest tide, with the aid of divers, to support the precast outfall units. A flap valve was added across the outlet to prevent unauthorised entry up the pipeline.
McConnell Dowell has been engaged by APA to construct the Murrin Murrin Looping Pipeline (MUE) Stage 1, east of Leonora in Western Australia.
The pipeline will transport natural gas from APA’s Goldfields Gas Pipeline (GGP) to the Eastern Gas Pipeline (EGP) Offtake Station, enhancing supply capacity of the Murrin Murrin Lateral (MML) for APA’s customers.
McConnell Dowell’s work scope consists of a DN200 offtake connecting to a 13.8-kilometre DN300 high pressure gas pipeline, which terminates with a tie-in to the EGP Offtake Station. The MUE will be installed parallel to the MML, within the Laverton–Leonora Road reserve.
This award continues our strong relationship with APA, which we have developed on projects such as the smaller diameter Agnew Gas Pipeline, shown under construction in 2019.
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Clemenger as the Managing Director for Built Environs. Built Environs is the vertical building arm of the McConnell Dowell Group operating across Australia and New Zealand.
Michael is a dedicated and results driven construction professional with over 25 years of experience managing all aspects of project delivery. He brings a strong understanding of the building market to the role and is actively involved across the construction industry, most recently as the Deputy President and board member of the Master Builders Association of Victoria.
McConnell Dowell Group Chief Executive Scott Cummins welcomed Michael as a valuable addition to the Group “Michael brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the building industry to this role; he has an exceptional track record of growing businesses and delivering on customer expectations.”
Michael joins the McConnell Dowell Group from the Icon/Cockram business, where he worked both internationally and in Australia and has been successful in delivering quality projects on time and on budget in a number of sectors that align with the Built Environs capabilities including Health, Residential, Commercial, Civic, Education and Defence.
Reflecting on his appointment Michael said “I am excited to lead the Built Environs team in Australia and New Zealand. I look forward to working with the diverse and talented team to grow the project portfolio in new and existing markets.”
Michael will commence in the role on Monday 24 August and will be based in the McConnell Dowell Corporate Head Office in Melbourne. He will be a member of the Group’s Executive Leadership Committee.
Outgoing Built Environs Managing Director Daryl Young will remain with the McConnell Dowell Group in the newly created role of General Manager – Queensland and Northern Territory for the Australian Business Unit and will continue to work with our customers and business partners to deliver projects and to grow the McConnell Dowell Group.
McConnell Dowell with its Alliance partners, has been selected by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to deliver the Westhaven to Akoranga section of the walking and cycling pathway.
Hugh Milliken is proud to be involved with a project that will provide choice for people, on both sides of the harbour, as to how they get to work, connect with family and friends and access services.
“The walking and cycling link will not only encourage people to use active modes when travelling between the city centre and the North Shore but will enhance the liveability of our communities and increase access to the region’s walking and cycling network.”
McConnell Dowell will deliver the Westhaven to Akoranga package as part of an Alliance with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Aurecon, and Freyssinet. The alliance delivery model, which requires the partners to work closely together, has proven successful on other Waka Kotahi projects including the Waterview Connection and Auckland’s Northern Corridor Improvements project.
The Government is investing $360 million in the first section of the Northern Pathway over the Waitematā Harbour between Westhaven and Akoranga as part of the $6.8 billion NZ Upgrade Programme. The walking and cycling link over the Auckland Harbour Bridge will eventually connect all the way to Albany, opening up the whole of the North Shore for people using active modes of transport.
Subject to consent and funding approvals, we expect to commence construction in 2021 and open this section of the Pathway in 2024.
See more on the Northern Pathway at: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/northern-pathway
With the current COVID-19 restrictions the contact signing was conducted virtually - here is an image from the signing.
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce that eTRACS, a McConnell Dowell-John Holland partnership, has been awarded the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract for KiwiRail’s Papakura to Pukekohe Electrification Upgrade (P2P) in Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, the Minister of Transport Phil Twyford, Auckland’s Mayor Phil Goff and KiwiRail’ CEO Greg Miller celebrated the start of the Auckland-wide Metro Upgrade Programme at an event on Friday 7 August. At this event the award of the programme’s two key projects, P2P and the Wiri to Quay Park Upgrade were announced.
The Auckland Metro Upgrade Programme and P2P are part of the Government’s New Zealand Upgrade Programme and NZ$6.8 billion investment in transport infrastructure, with NZ$371 million allocated for the Papakura and Pukekohe upgrade.
McConnell Dowell Managing Director for New Zealand and Pacific, Fraser Wyllie welcomed the announcement, saying, “the P2P project will provide an excellent opportunity to support New Zealand’s economic recovery by offering opportunities to communities and businesses impacted by COVID-19. We are excited to be collaborating with KiwiRail, as part of the eTRACS JV, to deliver an innovative, safe and sustainable network upgrade.”
KiwiRail CEO Greg Miller shared the economic benefit of the projects that “will together directly support more than 400 Kiwi jobs, including about 140 from KiwiRail. Additionally, the projects will support Kiwi businesses by predominantly using materials and components supplied by the domestic market.”.
Electrifying the section of the Auckland rail network between Papakura and Pukekohe, is critical to the city’s plans for future growth and will enable more frequent non-stop journeys for southern commuters. Importantly, P2P will also support the additional service capacity the City Rail Link will provide on completion in 2024.
An enabling works phase, ahead of the main contract works, is planned for later in the year with the project scheduled for completion in 2024.
The project will include:
- Extending the overhead power system from Papakura to Pukekohe
- Existing track and signalling upgrades
- Redeveloping Pukekohe station to allow for more services and longer trains
- A new substation and train stabling facilities
- Future proofing the rail corridor and enabling works for new stations along the route.
For more information about the event please visit: Papakura to Pukekohe Upgrade Project (P2P)