Our team on the Webb Street Level Crossing Removal Project in Melbourne has taken a proactive approach to address greenhouse gas emissions by incorporating 80% Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM) in their concrete slab, the highest SCM content in Victoria!
Portland Cement is a binding agent used in concrete, and traditional cement production is a significant contributor to global carbon emission. Using SCM in place of cement further reduces the amount of carbon emissions.
Described as strong and, fit for purpose, the 80% SCM concrete mix can be used for non-structural applications like share user paths or footings. Amongst other locations the Webb Street project is using this mix in the slab that will be the waste enclosure.
We're leading the way with sustainability innovations - working with our suppliers, designers, and our construction teams to reduce carbon emissions!
See what other initiatives are on our Carbon Reduction Roadmap here.
McConnell Dowell has been awarded a new contract, part of Dunedin City Council’s Three Water Renewals programme, to replace 2100m of watermain in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The pipeline runs from Wingatui to Mosgiel, between Hagart-Alexander Drive, to the Wingatui Water Reservoir, and will be replaced with a larger diameter pipe to increase the network’s capacity and strengthen supply to the Mosgiel community.
Fraser Wyllie, McConnell Dowell Managing Director - New Zealand & Pacific says “We are pleased to continue to work closely with Dunedin City Council to upgrade the water network and look forward to working closely with the Mosgiel community to realise the project’s positive broader social outcomes.”
The team began work on Wednesday 7 February with completion expected later this year.
For more information about the project click here
McConnell Dowell is starting 2024 and a new long-term relationship with Auckland’s Watercare after signing on to help deliver the first stage of its ambitious $3.5b asset renewal programme.
The successful companies were identified after a rigorous, three-month selection process.
They’ll work on the first half of a decade-long programme to replace ageing water and wastewater pipes and upgrade pump stations and treatment plants.
Watercare asset upgrades and renewals and general manager Suzanne Lucas says: “There were some really strong applicants, and it was a challenge at times to narrow it down. But we had a comprehensive set of criteria to use in assessing the proposals which certainly helped. We have stringent requirements around a demonstrated commitment to health and safety, as well as to sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives and of course efficiency and ability to deliver.
“We’re really confident that we’ve found the right partners who’ll help us to design and deliver the first phase of our $3.5b asset renewals programme, which will be the biggest investment we’ve ever made in proactive network renewals.
“It’s hugely exciting to be at this point, and we can’t wait to start developing and allocating targeted programmes of work that for our customers will ultimately mean fewer leaks and water outages, and fewer wastewater overflows.
“Over time, we should see the benefit of our investment with a reduced spend on reactive maintenance work from fewer pipe breaks.
“The partnership approach gives these businesses the certainty of a forward works programme, which allows them the confidence to invest in the right people and best technology for the job ahead. One of our drivers is to upskill the market in both capability and capacity, to help these businesses develop and grow.
“And from our perspective, we expect to be able to deliver these upgrades and renewals more efficiently in terms of cost and time, and with improved quality and consistency that will come from our partners developing expertise in their specific work programmes.
“The successful contractors and consultants are a mix of locally-owned and international businesses, which gives a broad range of expertise and access to emerging technologies.”
Watercare head of supply chain and procurement Stuart Bird says while the request-for-proposal process has been labour intensive, it will save a huge amount to time in the years to come.
“The traditional project-by-project procurement process simply wouldn’t have worked for the volume of projects this programme of work will cover. Doing it this way means a big investment in time up front, but it will pay dividends by reducing the amount of time and money spent on individual tenders for small, short-term bundles of work.”
As part of the procurement process for the renewal programme, Bird and Lucas are particularly proud to have set up a Māori Supplier Business Network – a pre-approved list of relevant suppliers who can supply services including traffic management, electrical, scaffolding, landscaping civil works and plant or labour hire.
“We have a target to have 5 per cent of our annual total contract spend going to Māori businesses by 2025,” Bird says. “For the 2022/2023 financial year, our spend with Māori businesses was 2.2% – so we do have a way to go, and we’ll need businesses in our supply chain to help us get there. By setting up the Māori Supplier Business Network, we’re helping to connect contractors to businesses who can do the mahi.
“This is something I’m personally passionate about – it’s about lifting the Māori economy and ensuring Māori businesses have the opportunity to work with us.”
Watercare worked with supplier diversity organisation Amotai, which acts as an intermediary to connect Māori and Pasifika businesses with organisations looking for suppliers of goods and services.
As well as the Contractor and Māori Business Supplier panel members listed below there is also a Consultants Panel
Contracting panel partners:
- McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd
- March Cato Ltd
- HEB Construction Ltd
- CB Civil & Drainage Ltd
- Pipeline & Civil Ltd
- Seipp Construction Ltd
- Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure Ltd
- Cassidy Construction Ltd
- Omexom
- McKay Ltd
- Apex Water Ltd
Watercare’s Māori Business Supplier Network:
- Ascon Skilled Personnel Ltd
- Civil Pipelayers
- Evolve Electrical & Technology Ltd
- Ground & Pound Contracting
- Hindmarsh Drainage Contractors Ltd
- Independent Construction Ltd
- Independent Traffic Control Ltd
- Lite Civil Ltd
- Next Hire
- Olsen Welding Ltd
- Omaet Contracting Ltd
- Pinnacle Scaffolds Ltd
- Platinum Electrical Ltd
- Tana NZ Ltd
- Veza Drainage Ltd
McConnell Dowell's parent company, Aveng Limited, released strong results for the interim period ended 31 December 2023, returning to profitability and positive cash generation.
Aveng demonstrated its resilience and the core strength of its operating subsidiaries through this turnaround and the improved performance against the comparative period. The Group delivered a double-digit improvement in revenue, operating earnings, earnings from continuing operations, and headline earnings.
Read the full press release here.
About Aveng
Aveng is an engineering-led international contractor focused on infrastructure, building and mining, capitalising on the expertise and experience of McConnell Dowell, Built Environs and Moolmans.
Aveng is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Code: JSE:AEG
Earlier this week, McConnell Dowell Group announced a significant leadership transition with Mario Russo, General Manager South Australia & Western Australia, succeeding Jim Frith as Managing Director of the Group’s Australian Business Unit.
This leadership transition has been planned for some time, and takes place with immediate effect. Jim will remain with McConnell Dowell, taking some well-deserved long service leave to refresh and recharge after leading the Australian team since 2016. The MCD Executive Leadership team and Board are confident that the time is right to implement this transition which places the Australian Business Unit in a strong position for the future.
Jim has been an integral part of the McConnell Dowell family for more than three decades. From his appointment as MD Australia in 2016, he played a pivotal role in the Group’s strategic and operational reset, and has presided over an extended period of revenue and profit growth for the business, while maintaining best in class safety performance and staff and customer engagement. Under his leadership, the Australian Business Unit has emerged as a well-respected contractor of choice in the Australian infrastructure sector.
Jim's successor, Mario Russo, joined McConnell Dowell in 2008 with the Group’s acquisition of Built Environs, and has steadily advanced his leadership skills in project and new business management. His emphasis on customer relationships, delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget, and aligning with the objectives of the Group’s Vision 2025 and Horizon 2030 strategic plans has solidified McConnell Dowell's position as a Tier 1 contractor in South Australia. Mario and his team have also successfully steered the company's re-entry into the Western Australia market and fostered collaboration between the SA infrastructure and vertical building businesses, opening up new opportunities for differentiation.
Reflecting on the change, Mario said that he is “truly honoured to have been appointed as Jim’s successor as MD Australia, and very excited by the opportunities ahead. Both Jim and Scott have been mentors of mine over the years, and their personal and professional support throughout my career has been invaluable.”
Jim Frith noted that “I am very pleased that Mario, someone I have worked directly with over many years, will be stepping into the MD Australia role as my successor. I have always considered Mario to be an outstanding leader, with a strong future ahead of him. To see him now in a position to fully realise this potential is very satisfying, and is the culmination of a planned succession pathway we have been working on for the past few years. I wish Mario every success in his new role.”
McConnell Dowell Group CEO Scott Cummins said “This leadership transition marks a significant planned change for McConnell Dowell's Australian business. On behalf of the Board and the rest of the business, I thank Jim for his exceptional values-based leadership and extend my congratulations to Mario on his appointment.”