With more than 40 years’ experience as a pioneer in tunnel and underground construction, picking up countless awards and setting records along the way, we have released a new video highlighting just a few of our successes.
In the video, McConnell Dowell's unrivalled set of tunnel and underground capabilities across the transport sector, utilities, hydropower and mining are showcased through the delivery of some of the most challenging and ambitious projects from around the world.
These include the Waterview Connection project in New Zealand, works on the Singapore Downtown Line 2 Metro project, Bogong Power Development, and various other projects from McConnell Dowell’s extensive tunnelling history.
“We are proud of the quality body of work we have built up over the years” says Russell Rooney, Executive General Manager - Tunnel & Underground, McConnell Dowell. “Our progressive approach to tunnel design and construction combined with unwavering commitments to both safety and client satisfaction has got us to where we are today. We look forward to extending our capabilities even further, and showcasing our expertise on a range of exciting projects over the next few years.”
The stunning Riverbank Precinct Pedestrian Bridge was officially opened on Saturday 14 June by the Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill.
Final testing of the bridge’s lights and waterfall feature was undertaken ahead of the official opening to highlight a celebration hosted by McConnell Dowell and attended representatives of client Department Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) and key subcontractors to mark the bridge’s completion.
The pedestrian bridge is an impressive structure in the light of day, but it is at night that this spectacular structure really comes alive. Located in the heart of Adelaide’s iconic Riverbank Precinct, the new bridge offers panoramic views along the river and facilitates a vital link between the Adelaide CBD and the North Adelaide Parklands, the highly acclaimed Adelaide Oval, and Memorial Drive.
At 225 metres in length and 8 metres in width, the bridge provides a slender, modern structure with 2600 white glass panels attached to its surface, forming a sleek opaque façade. The cladding system is made from laminated glass with a coloured interlayer, supported by a custom aluminium cassette system fixed to secondary steel framing.
Built-in programmable coloured LED lights running along the edge of the bridge and within the large glass columns – that can be changed to suit many occasions – and are currently green and gold in honour of the Socceroos and the World Cup.
At the celebration our Southern Regional Manager Trevor Cruden, welcomed 70 guests including the Hon Stephen Mullighan, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Project Manager Mario Russo showcased the project’s progression through a number of fast tracked milestones.
“From the very beginning, McConnell Dowell embraced the opportunity to deliver one of the most distinctive pieces of public infrastructure seen in Adelaide for a long time. The Riverbank Bridge has quickly become part of the postcard image of Adelaide and importantly has been warmly adopted by locals and visitors alike,” Mr Russo said.
DPTI’s, Director, Strategic Projects, Manuel Delgado congratulated us on our success in delivering the Riverbank bridge and other projects like the Wayville Showgrounds railway station.
Take a look at our recent video of the glass panel construction works for the Riverbank Precinct Bridge project here.
On Wednesday 11 June at 0830hrs, a second major milestone was reached on McConnell Dowell’s DTL2 C917A Contract in Singapore. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) S-602 ‘Gloria’ reached her final destination, completing excavation on the Bukit Panjang Bound metro tunnel from her starting point at King Albert Park (KAP) Metro Station and docking in the station wall at the Sixth Avenue (SAV) Metro Station.
This marks the completion of the excavation works of the metro tunnels on the C917A Contract, with this second of the twin tubes being completed just 34 calendar days after the first tube (Expo Bound) was completed by TBM S-603 ‘Sophia’. With the remaining tunnelling works on the project now limited to completion of Cross Passage excavation (expected prior to end of June) and completion of the Ventilation shaft Adit Tunnel at KAP beneath Bukit Timah Road (approx 18% excavated), the major risks associated with the unknowns of the tunnel horizon can be closed out.
When McConnell Dowell took up the Caretaker's role at the C917 Contract on 7 August 2013 following Alpine's insolvency, S-602 ‘Gloria’ was just 52m (or 3%) into the 1395m Bukit Panjang Bound tunnel drive. During the caretaker role, McConnell Dowell carried out manned interventions into the excavation chamber over more than a week to carry out maintenance of the cutting wheel by replacement of worn cutting tools and removing the clogged material inside the excavation chamber. This eventually freed up the TBM Cutting wheel and allowed the TBM, that had essentially become bound-in, to restart excavation. The first ring, Ring 33, was built by McConnell Dowell during this Caretaker role after advancing the TBM just over 1m to create space for the ring erection.
TBM S-602 Gloria fully recommenced tunnelling under Contract C917A on 19 September 2013, and reached the planned stopping location at Ring 53 (82m in) on 11 October in order to carry out the "Main Drive Changeover". This operation is the second stage of the TBM assembly where the feed lines (umbilicals) from the surface are removed and the remaining TBM Gantries (back-up trailers) are assembled, lowered into place and translated into the tunnel to connect to the remainder of the TBM. After this 6 week stop, S-602 ‘Gloria’ was fully commissioned and ready to commence tunnelling at the programmed rates. Tunnelling recommenced on 15 November 2013, and, apart from regular (all too often) stoppages for cutting wheel maintenance (manned interventions) and a short stoppage for work on the screw conveyor, the TBM completed tunnelling, 209 days later on 11 June, without any major issues arising.
The project team at C917A have continued on from completion of the first tunnel drive with determination, diligence and enthusiasm through a number of challenging situations, including: extremely difficult ground conditions; difficulties associated with the inherited TBM's, and up-skilling of the inexperienced foreign workforce taken over from the previous contractor. These were in addition to the intense time pressures from the client who needed to make up lost time from the previous insolvency to keep to their Down Town Line 2 opening on schedule. The McConnell Dowell project team have done an exceptional job, pushing the boundaries further and setting new production "bests" that exceed those achieved on the Expo Bound (S-603) drive, on former McConnell Dowell Beauty World tunnel drives, and those achieved on similar EPB tunnel drives by other contractors in Singapore.
Construction company McConnell Dowell’s new micro tunnel boring machine (MTBM) arrives in the country in the next few weeks to settle in Silverdale where it will make its way underground from the existing Watercare Pump Station off Millwater Parkway Orewa to a new series of subdivisions north of Grand Drive. Major residential developments are already underway in the area bringing tens of thousands of residents to Rodney and the Hibiscus Coast. The largest development, Millwater, will house more than 10,000 residents with around 3500 homes planned.
Despite the fact that there is a shortage of homes in Auckland, roads, water, sewerage and gas all have to be in place at the right time to bring people to a new area,” says Michael Buckland, construction manager for McConnell Dowell. “Having all your ducks in a row with all services in place means residents can settle into an area and enjoy the lifestyle on offer right way.”
McConnell Dowell is laying 3.15 kms of wastewater pipeline for Watercare using microtunnelling trenchless technology. The waste water will flow through the pipeline through gravity offering significant advantages during construction and operation in terms of safety, environmental and community impact.
According to tunnelling tradition throughout the world, a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cannot start work until it is given a name. Just like Alice at Waterview, this new machine will be given a woman’s name as a sign of good luck for the project. Local primary school children from Kingsway, Silverdale and Orewa Primary Schools are being given the opportunity to enter a competition to name the MTBM, researching famous New Zealand women in history for inspiration. The winner will be announced on July 25th.
Other waste water micro tunnelling work carried out by McConnell Dowell includes the $83.5M Christchurch Ocean Outfall, the largest civil engineering project undertaken by the Christchurch City Council prior to the Canterbury earthquakes. At 3km long, this is one of the longest outfalls in New Zealand and required the longest micro tunnel drive of its type in the southern hemisphere at that time at 870m.
McConnell Dowell is part of the Well-Connected Alliance, managing the design, construction and operation of the Waterview Connection project, a $1.4b Road of National Significance, and one of the most important infrastructure developments ever to take place in New Zealand. Completing a motorway ring route around the city, the connection will deliver 5km of 6-lane motorway through and beneath Auckland’s western suburbs, linking State Highways 16 and 20 to complete the city’s Western Ring Route by 2017.
Please contact Clare Farrant for more information +64 21 923 796 + 64 9 573 3769
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce that the $1.2 billion Gold Coast Light Rail (‘the G’) officially opened with a day of free travel held on Sunday 20 July, 2014. More than 80,000 passengers were welcomed aboard the G: on the first day of operations.
The service was officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, GoldLinQ Chairman John Witheriff and numerous other dignitaries. Revenue service is now underway.
With the three year design, construction and the testing and commissioning phase complete, commencement of operations marks a significant achievement for McConnell Dowell and its partner Bombardier. The team has delivered Queensland’s first modern light rail system and the one of the largest upgrades of underground services undertaken in the state.
Design and Construction Joint Venture Project Director, Simon Bradbury, said the Gold Coast light rail has been delivered successfully with operations commencing on target in mid-2014.
“This was the most challenging transport infrastructure job in the most complex environment in Australia,” he said.
“To have achieved three million man hours LTI free at the time of opening the system to passengers is a fantastic achievement for McConnell Dowell and every person involved with the project.
“The calibre of this team is reflected by the number of challenges faced on a daily basis and how every challenge has been met head on and solved through creative thinking, cooperation and determination.”
Project Achievements
3 million man hours LTI free
4 million man hours in total
27 kilometres of track laid
3,509 track welds complete and 52 intersections crossed with rail.
30,000 kilometres of underground services relocated or upgraded
Six bridges complete, equalling 1,537 lineal metres of structures
No industrial stop work on the job
Funding spent with local businesses for labour and materials - $530.1 million
Percentage of local goods, services and employees on site - 95%
Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia Rating - 'Excellent'
Awards
Infrastructure Top 100 World Cities Project: Urban mobility cities in transition - Showcasing 100 of the most innovative and inspiring urban infrastructure projects around the world
2013 Construction Skills QLD Employer Commitment to Training – McConnell Dowell
2013 Construction Skills QLD Construction Professional of the Year – Jon Lea.
2013 NAWIC Award for Achievement in Environment – Anna Carleton
2013 CFMEU Civil High Achievement Award – Josh Todd
McConnell Dowell has had an ‘across the board’ win at the New Zealand Contactors’ Federation (NZCF) and Roading New Zealand Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards 2014. The awards celebrate excellence by contractors in the construction, management and maintenance of infrastructure. NZCF executive officer Malcolm Abernethy said this year the awards had the highest number of entries ever recorded.
The company won the top award in two project value categories, and was awarded a highly commended in a third category, demonstrating excellence in the construction and delivery of projects of modest value to the construction and delivery of infrastructure of national significance. The three projects were: Arapuni Power Station and the work on the diversion gate and tunnel – winner for projects up to $5m, Lower Hatea River Crossing - winner for projects up to $30m, Te Mihi Geothermal Power Station - highly commended in the over $30m category. McConnell Dowell was also a finalist the award for Training and Development.
All three projects were challenging and complex and required good management, strong relationships and creative engineering skills to ensure that our clients got the best outcome. Congratulations to everyone involved and congratulations to our clients for their vision in commissioning these important infrastructure projects.
Winners were announced at the Hirepool Construction Excellence awards dinner on August 8th. The event is part of the tripartite New Zealand Contractors’ Federation, Association of Consulting Engineers and Roading New Zealand Conference held in Rotorua.
For more information contact Clare Farrant. +64 9 21 923 796
We are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached to divest the Electrix Business. The transaction remains subject to standard completion conditions but is expected to be finalised by 31 October 2014.
Electrix' new owners, VINCI Energies, are committed to growing the business and delivering great service to their customers.
McConnell Dowell has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Electrix over many years and will continue this into the future where the skills of the two organisations combine to deliver additional value to our clients.
Reflecting on the sale, McConnell Dowell's CEO David Robinson stated:
“The sale of Electrix provides significant financial strength to the business and positions our company for the next phase of growth. We remain focused on the delivery of complex infrastructure projects in our traditional markets, and continuing to grow in Asia by leveraging off our strong base and long history in that region.
As reported in the Australian media recently, an audit conducted by the Victorian Construction Code Compliance Unit (CCCU) at the Springvale Level Crossing Removal Project in 2013, has led to the State Minister for Finance imposing a sanction on McConnell Dowell.
This sanction prevents McConnell Dowell from tendering for or registering an interest in Victorian Government funded building and construction projects for three months. The sanction commenced on 15 September 2014 and will end on 14 December 2014.
The CCCU determined that McConnell Dowell had breached the Victorian Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry by engaging a labour hire company in a way that did not comply with the approved Workplace Relations Management Plan.
This is an isolated incident and does not reflect McConnell Dowell’s business practices.
McConnell Dowell is committed to the intent and principles of the Victorian Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry.
McConnell Dowell has provided the Victorian Government with undertakings and evidence that improvements have been made to its procurement practices to ensure this remains an isolated incident.
McConnell Dowell has:
Established a protocol for all projects to ensure there are no further breaches of the code;
Reviewed all standard procurement contracts to ensure they are compliant;
Commenced the establishment of a panel of prequalified and compliant labour hire suppliers through a competitive tender process;
Implemented a training program across all project sites to ensure compliance;
Held regular meetings with the CCCU to ensure ongoing compliance.
In the meantime McConnell Dowell is actively pursuing numerous other projects across Australia that are unaffected by the sanction.
At 1.45 pm today Alice successfully broke through to daylight at the end of her ten month 2.4km underground journey as part of the $1.4bn project to build the 5km, six-lane motorway in Auckland. "This is a spectacular milestone for the project and everyone involved," said Roger McRae. Managing Director of McConnell Dowell. McConnell Dowell is delivering the project as part of the Well-Connected Alliance. "This is one of the truly great engineering projects in the history of construction in New Zealand," said McRae. “The breakthrough itself was very exciting. But what is personally extremely satisfying for me is that the tunnel team achieved this milestone with over 1 million man hours lost time injury free."
NZTA Media Release
WATERVIEW TUNNELS CONSTRUCTIONS REACHES HALFWAY
One tunnel built, one to go
12010 concrete tunnel lining segments in place
394,000m3 of spoil removed
The first of the twin road tunnels that will connect Auckland’s Southwestern and Northwestern motorways as part of the NZ Transport Agency’s Waterview Connection project has been built.
Alice, the tunnel boring machine, broke into daylight this afternoon, at the end of her 10-month 2.4km underground journey from Owairaka to Waterview.
The tunnel she has built is the tenth largest diameter tunnel in the world and the longest road tunnel in New Zealand. Once opened in early 2017, it will carry three lanes of southbound traffic up to 40 metres below Avondale and Waterview in west Auckland.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Highways Manager for Auckland, Brett Gliddon, says the tunnel’s completion is a significant milestone for the $1.4bn project to build the new 5km, six-lane motorway link from the Great North Road interchange at Waterview to Maioro Street in Mt Roskill and complete the long awaited Western Ring Route.
“This is a fantastic achievement. Our construction partners on the Well-Connected Alliance completed the breakthrough safely and ahead of schedule,” Mr Gliddon says.
“It is a huge engineering feat for New Zealand, one that is attracting worldwide attention. It demonstrates that with local and international experience and expertise, we can deliver infrastructure to equal the best in the world.”
Mr Gliddon says Alice will now be turned around to bore the northbound tunnel.
“While it is not unusual internationally to turn a tunnel boring machine, what is extraordinary about this turn is the sheer size of the machine and the constricted space in which the manoeuvre will take place.”
At 90m long and weighing 3,100 tonnes, Alice is big. The cutting head and its three trailing gantries will be disconnected and each piece taken one at a time from the completed tunnel and turned.
Only when all of Alice’s parts are in place and reconnected – in early 2015 - will tunnelling resume to construct the second tunnel.
The conveyor system that removes excavated material and other services required for the machine’s operation will also be turned and will follow Alice as she journeys south. By the completion of the second tunnel, they will extend the length of both tunnels - nearly 5km.
A fourth gantry, which operates independently of Alice to install a culvert on the floor of the tunnel, will be the last to be turned. This culvert will carry the services needed for operation of the tunnels once they have been completed.
The machine’s drive south from Waterview to Owairaka is expected to be completed in about October next year. Approximately a year of work will then remain to complete the mechanical and electrical fit-out of the tunnels, including completing ventilation buildings at both ends and constructing 16 cross passages to connect the tunnels.
The entire project - which also involves building the surface connections to the existing motorways, 9km of new cycleway, new community amenities such as walkways, playgrounds and skateparks, and planting approximately 150,000 trees and shrubs – is due to be completed in early 2017.
The Waterview Connection is one of five projects to complete the Western Ring Route as an alternative motorway to SH1 through central Auckland and across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It is prioritised by the Government as one of its Roads of National Significance because of the contribution it will make to New Zealand’s prosperity by underpinning economic growth and sustainable development for Auckland and its regional neighbours.
The project is being delivered by the Well-Connected Alliance which includes the Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, McConnell Dowell, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Beca Infrastructure, Tonkin & Taylor and Japanese construction company Obayashi Corporation. Sub-alliance partners are Auckland-based Wilson Tunnelling and Spanish tunnel controls specialists SICE.
As well as designing and building the Waterview Connection, the alliance will operate and maintain the 5km motorway for 10 years from its completion.
Alice, as the largest TBM in operation in the world is affectionately known, broke through ahead of schedule in textbook style and incredible accuracy (within 10mm of the design position) to complete the first tunnel in Auckland’s Waterview Connection.
“Alice’s breakthrough was one of the most technically challenging aspects of the project,” said Roger McRae. Managing Director of McConnell Dowell. “Arriving ahead of schedule of a date estimated over two years ago is an outstanding achievement for everyone involved. This is the largest TBM in operation in the world and the largest diameter tunnels ever built in Australasia. The project management, planning, processes and procedures are world-class.”
“The tunnel boring machine breakthrough marks the beginning of a whole new challenge. We must now turn Alice ready to build the second tunnel. The turnaround of such a large machine is extraordinary in its own right. The size of the machine, and the constricted area in which the turn will take place calls for engineering expertise and precision planning again to world class standards as well as a big measure of Kiwi ingenuity,” said McRae.
At 87.7metres long and 3100 tonnes. Alice is too big to be turned in one piece. Over the next five months Alice and her entourage of gantries will be separated, much like a train with a series of back-up carriages, and brought out of the tunnel one at a time, turned, reconnected and re-launched to complete the second tunnel.
Alice will be re-launched late November to build the second tunnel. ore 300m southward and full tunnelling will resume in March next year.
“The success of this project demonstrates that we are well positioned to deliver world class infrastructure in New Zealand. Said McRae. “Projects such as the City Rail link.
On Friday October 24, 2014, Stephanie Wood, a graduate site engineer at McConnell Dowell won the NAWIC Young Achiever award. The National Association of Women in Construction awards were held at the Grand Hyatt in Collins Street Melbourne to celebrate the achievements of women in the construction industry.
Stephanie joined McConnell Dowell two years ago as part of the company graduate programme. Since joining the company, Stephanie has worked in a variety of roles, in our head office estimating and tendering, and in site based engineering roles.
The Young Achiever award acknowledges an individual under the age of 30 who is highly involved in the construction industry, has leadership potential and is involved in building and maintaining community relationships.
For the past 12 months, Stephanie has worked as a site engineer on the Balaclava Station Upgrade Project in Melbourne. The Balaclava Station project has presented many daily challenges for our site team. But, Stephanie has demonstrated a strong ability to work collaboratively with her team, the local community and led the project’s communication strategy.
Metro Trains Melbourne Community Relations Advisor Shara Speight described Stephanie as a “great communicator”, “always approachable and willing to accommodate the need of residents, customers and stakeholders”.
“Stephanie has an amazing commitment to whatever she takes on, whether it be tendering or project delivery…she is professional and has an innate ability to tie a team together,” said Trevor Cruden, Manager Southern Region.
In a joint win at the New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards on Friday night, McConnell Dowell took home the highly coveted Supreme Award for Engineering Excellence for Te Matau ā Pohe, the Lower Hatea River crossing in Whangarei.
''We are delighted to win such a prestigious award," said Roger McRae, Managing Director, McConnell Dowell.
"The bridge is a stunning structure and an outstanding achievement for Whangarei District Council and everyone involved. What we have achieved together is an fine example of a collaborative contract delivery model, top quality international and local design and precision construction. Congratulations to everyone involved."
Te Matau ā Pohe is a new landmark for the region. It addresses a very practical transport need in a way that incorporates the unique cultural history and identity of the region. It is the first bridge to be built in New Zealand in over 50 years with a lifting mid-section to enable boats to pass underneath.
The design of the bridge incorporates the traditional Māori fish hook and takes its name from Wiremu Pohe, the Māori chief who greeted the first ever Europeans to visit the area.
The winning team included McConnell Dowell Constructors, Transfield Services, Novare Design Ltd, Gaia Engineers Ltd, Knight Architects, Eadon Consulting, Northern Civil Consulting and Whangarei District Council.
“These are New Zealand’s premier engineering awards,” said panel judge, Peter Higgs.
"It’s a well-deserved accolade that we hope will also inspire others to continue to integrate excellence in design with New Zealand’s unique cultural identity and ingenuity. This year's entries included some outstanding examples of innovation and creativity in engineering projects and practice that are making a huge difference in the lives of countless New Zealanders from innovations in the management of sewage and wastewater in Christchurch to a world-first in the use of redeveloped earthquake-resistant building technologies."
McConnell Dowell and the team also took the award for Transportation Infrastructure.
Whangarei District Council Group Manager for Infrastructure Services Simon Weston said a key objective when building the bridge was for it to constitute award-winning design and construction standards.
"The total commitment to excellence of everyone involved in the project shines through in the results," said Mr Weston. Kieran Devine, acting Chief Executive of IPENZ, one of eight partner organisations hosting the awards, said it was a great night with high calibre entries.
“It reminded us again just how well New Zealand’s engineering community deserves its world-leading reputation," said Mr Devine.
Te Matau a Pohe is well recognised world-wide. It is the winner of two international awards, three national awards and a finalist in several others.
International awards include: • Architizer A+ Award (Architecture+Engineering) • United Kingdom Civic Trust Award
New Zealand awards include: • Winner of the Contractors Federation and Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards for projects up to $30m
High commendation awards: • 2014 New Zealand Concrete Society Awards Infrastructure Award • Roading New Zealand Road Excellence Awards -- Z Excellence Award for a Major Project (greater than $25m).
The project was nominated for the New Zealand Master Builders Commercial Project Award and the Building Magazine International Project of the Year.
It has also appeared in a number of industry magazines and in the recent Kia car advertisement on television, featured in the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand magazine, Bridge Design and Engineering Magazine, and several industry blogs.
For more information regarding this media release contact Clare Farrant on +64 9 21 923 796
For further information regarding the awards, including an overview of each of the finalists and videos featuring their work, please visit the New Zealand Engineering Excellence website.
McConnell Dowell's connection with a forward-thinking high school in Perth, Western Australia is helping to inspire Australia's next generation of engineers.
Most of us could count on one hand the number of times an industry guest speaker addressed our class in high school. However Southern River College in Gosnells, a grass roots suburb in Perth, is making industry engagement in high school the norm, and McConnell Dowell is proud to be playing its part.
'The Minerals and Energy Academy was put in place at Southern River College three years ago in response to the Skilling WA workforce development plan," said Principal Everal Pearse.
The Academy is an accelerated education program where students begin a pathway to a tertiary degree in science or engineering, with a view to working in the resources sector.
"One career day doesn't do it - it's the conversations or incidental moments with a mentor that inspire you to think you can.
"My vision is to include industry in a meaningful way in education, where it becomes the norm to have a guest speaker in the class," said Pearse.
McConnell Dowell has become an active partner in the program, encouraging its engineers to connect and mentor the younger generation.
"We said to our young engineers you have to start giving back, sowing the seeds," said Andrew Bland, McConnell Dowell's Western Region Business Development Manager.
"Kids are grateful you are taking the time to speak to them and potentially change their lives. It might be one life, but it's a ripple effect, it feeds back to the families and the broader community."
Pearse is keen to see the ripple effect spread even further: "This isn't just a model for Southern River College, but can be spread everywhere."
Who knows where these ripples may lead?
(Extract from original Engineers Australia article)
In partnership with the Australia-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce, McConnell Dowell is helping upskill Myanmar's engineering capability through the Austrade funded "Networks Through Skills Development Project."
The initiative brings together Myanmar and Australian organisations to help build skills and capacity in technical areas needed for Myanmar's continued economic renewal.
"Skill Swaps" are a central part of the program and involve secondments of Myanmar engineers into Australian run projects in the region.
One recent participant was Mr Phyo Wai Chan Thar, an experienced Project Engineer who successfully completed the Skill Swap program on McConnell Dowell's Fourth Transmission Pipeline Project in Thailand.
Mr Phyo, who specialises in quality assurance and control, gained a strong understanding of international best practice during his six week secondment. As part of the program, he recently presented his experience to a gathering of over 160 participants from the Myanmar Engineering Society. (Pictured left).
At the same gathering Chris Swaine, Business Development Manager and Chief Representative for McConnell Dowell in Myanmar, provided a technical presentation titled "Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Direct Pipe installation methods on the large diameter gas pipeline". (Pictured right).
'It was a great experience to be able to present the latest trenchless technology developments to the attentive group of engineers and hoped that the lessons learned on the Thailand pipeline could be incorporated to new projects being developed in Myanmar in the developing Oil & Gas sector", said Chris.
Host of the event and President of the Myanmar Engineering Society, U Win Khaing said... 'The Skill Swap program has opened up avenues for further initiatives that will benefit the engineers and technicians in their respective areas of training and knowledge sharing.
Benjamin Parker, Chief Representative (Australia) said of the program... "Over two years we have reached more than 500 Myanmar professionals in a range of industries, and we are committed to delivering more."
As a long-time resident contractor in Asia, McConnell Dowell is equally committed.
McConnell Dowell has been awarded the Jetty Pipeline and Mechanical Works contract as part of the Port Bonython Fuels project in South Australia.
Highlights:
Challenging pipeline and mechanical project on a brownfield site
Part of $100 million development for diesel fuel distribution in South Australia
4 km long, 500 mm diameter pipeline from operating jetty to new storage facility
Associated mechanical and electrical works
Details:
Port Bonython Fuels (PBF) is constructing a fuel storage terminal at Port Bonython for distribution of diesel fuel to regional SA. As part of the $100 million project McConnell Dowell will deliver the transfer pipeline and jetty mechanical package. This involves the construction of a 500 mm diameter pipeline to transfer fuel from the marine loading arms at the jetty head, to the fuel storage terminal area, some 4 km away.
A major challenge of this project is to construct the pipe on the operating jetty with minimal impact to the operators, and to ensure no disruption to the outloading of gas.
The 500 mm pipe will be placed between other live pipe on the jetty pipe rack, and on pipe supports through the onshore portion. Two new Marine Loading Arms will be installed on the jetty head, as well as a new fire monitor and other mechanical equipment. Minor electrical works are also required at the jetty head.
Australian Operations Mechanical Manager, Anthony Posterino said...
"It is very pleasing to be awarded this contract and we look forward to delivering the project successfully to our client's full satisfaction".
Site work will commence August 2015 and the contract is scheduled for completion by February 2016.
The irrigation expansion for North Otago Irrigation Company (NOIC) in New Zealand is well underway and local suppliers are already seeing the benefits.
The McConnell Dowell managed project involves the expansion of existing infrastructure such as pumps, pipes and the head pond, which is tripling in size.
McConnell Dowell has appointed local company Hynds Pipe Systems as the supplier of pipes and pipe fittings, with Gillies Metaltech of Oamaru producing some of the products.
"McConnell Dowell partners with local suppliers on every project whenever possible,"says Managing Director Roger McRae."It makes sense..."
"Partnering with people who know the area and the community gets the best results for the project. The benefits are immense all round. Local people know best when it comes to what they want for their community and they have valuable insight and knowledge of the area in terms of geography and geology, climate and environmental considerations. Not to mention having the best interests of the project at heart in that they get to live with the results. We value that type of commitment to delivering the best outcome for everyone involved."
McRae, who attended Waitaki Boys in his youth, said he is delighted to be back working in the region...
"It's marvellous to see the changes that irrigation has already delivered and exciting to think about how much more can be achieved through this expansion project,"he said.
Hynds Managing Director Adrian Hynds says that partnering with McConnell Dowell and supplying 100% of the pipes and associated fittings for the irrigation scheme means work for local businesses.
"That's a boost to the North Otago economy and to our local teams,"he says."The scale of this project means that hundreds of containers of European made fibreglass pipe will be delivered through the Timaru port and all the plastic pipes and ductile iron fittings supplied to the project will be made in NZ."
Hynds is a significant local employer in Oamaru and all three of its businesses: Gillies Metaltech, Hynds Pipes Sales Branch, and Hynds Precast Concrete Manufacturing Plant, will be engaged with production and supply. First established in the 1940's, Gillies has a longstanding reputation for engineering and technical expertise in ferrous metal production and two Gillies engineers were sent to Europe earlier this year for enhanced technical training in preparation for this project. Many of the fittings made by Hynds will be fabricated locally in Oamaru.
NOIC chief executive Robyn Wells said that the appointment of Hynds and Gilles as suppliers to the project is a win for the local economy...
"It's good to see that local investment from the Council has immediate payback to the community."
For more information contact: Clare Farrant. Communications & PR Manager. McConnell Dowell New Zealand +64 21 923 796
The Aveng Group today announced the appointment of Scott Cummins as Chief Executive Officer of McConnell Dowell Corporation Limited effective 1 October 2015.
Mr Cummins (pictured) takes over from David Robinson who will be retiring in October this year.
Commenting on the appointment, Kobus Verster, Chief Executive Officer of Aveng said...
"Scott's appointment follows a comprehensive executive search which considered both internal and external candidates. I am confident that Scott will lead McConnell Dowell in sustaining its track record in its anchor market, Australia, while helping us realise the full potential of its international operations."
Scott brings vast experience in the construction and engineering industry across various disciplines and geographies. He has worked in project and functional management and leadership roles in the Marine, Production, Construction Engineering, Fabrication, Business Development and Regional operations for McDermott International over the last 25 years. Throughout his career he has held leadership roles in major locations across the world, including Singapore, Indonesia and Dubai.
Since January 2015 Scott has held the position of Senior Vice President of Commercial at McDermott International. Prior to this position his roles have included Executive Vice President Offshore and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific.
He is an Australian national with a Bachelor of Engineering from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia and an MBA from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK.
Mr Verster also thanked outgoing CEO David Robinson...
"I would like to thank David for his contributions to McConnell Dowell and Aveng over his remarkable 37 year career and in particular the past 15 years as CEO. David has overseen periods of considerable growth and change within McConnell Dowell and has led the company through challenging times and market transitions. He hands over to Scott a strong team of talented employees."
David will remain available to the company in a consulting role.
McConnell Dowell, in conjunction with the Christchurch Arts Festival has launched a competition to find out how creative Christchurch children can be.
The competition is in celebration of the Christchurch Arts Festival and the arrival of the stunning luminarium EXXOPOLIS to the City.
McConnell Dowell wants Christchurch children to design their own luminarium and be in to win a personal tour of the Architects of Air luminarium EXXOPOLIS for their entire class.
McConnell Dowell is a cornerstone partner of Christchurch Arts Festival and their support means the Festival has been able to keep prices for entry to EXXOPOLIS to just $5 per person.
“Without the support of McConnell Dowell, we really couldn’t bring this special visual arts experience to Christchurch,” Festival Director Craig Cooper said. “And now McConnell Dowell is encouraging Christchurch children to get creative and be inspired by EXXOPOLIS to design their own luminarium.”
The competition is open to primary and intermediate schools in the Canterbury region. Entries can be submitted by individuals or groups. Students need to submit three hand-drawn illustrations of their design including three different views (top, front and left/right).
The competition will be judged by Architects of Air and the most original and creative entry will win a private tour of EXXOPOLIS for their class on Friday 4 September at 2.30pm.
The prize includes transport for children and accompanying teachers.
The competition is open now and closes on Monday 17th August at 5pm.
McConnell Dowell’s Chris Ashton, Tunnel Construction Manager with the Well-Connected Alliance at Waterview for NZ Transport Agency has won the Civil Contractors New Zealand’s Z Energy Emerging Leader 2015 award.
The awards are organised by the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals within the civil construction industry.
“Chris is an incredibly well respected individual in the construction industry,” said Roger McRae, Managing Director of McConnell Dowell and chair of the Well-Connected Alliance.
“I’m delighted that he has been recognised for his leadership skills but also for his sound tunnelling, engineering and management experience gained working on infrastructure projects of great scale."
Chris has worked his way ‘from the ground up’ so to speak over the past fifteen years in the construction industry to his current position as Tunnel Construction Manager at Waterview Connection - the largest road infrastructure project in New Zealand.
Other notable career highlights include Chris’s work on the £16 billion Crossrail scheme in England which includes 2.7km of twin-tube tunnels which pass beneath the River Thames.
The win was announced at the Civil Contractors conference in Taupo.
McConnell Dowell was announced as the winner of a top award for excellence in civil construction at the Civil Contractors New Zealand conference in Taupo this weekend.
The company won the award for the SH82 Waitaki Bridges Replacement project. The NZ$20.1 million project involved the design and construction of two new bridges: one 206 m and the other 92 m in length spanning the Waitaki River which forms the boundary between Otago and Canterbury. Dating back to 1881, the original Waitaki Bridges were built as railway bridges.
As well as the project award, McConnell Dowell was recognised with a win for Chris Ashton, Tunnel Construction Manager with the Well-Connected Alliance at Waterview for NZ Transport Agency. Chris Ashton won the Civil Contractors New Zealand’s Z Energy Award for Emerging Leader 2015.
McConnell Dowell had an across the board win in 2014 with awards for the multi-million dollar Lower Hatea River Crossing in Whangarei and for repair works on the historic Arapuni Power Station diversion gate and tunnel. The company was also recognised in 2014 with a highly commended for construction of the Te Mihi Geothermal Power Station at Taupo.
