After seven months of offline construction the Mandurah Road Footbridge was successfully lifted into place last weekend.

Despite heavy winds delaying commencement of the lift by 12 hours, the McConnell Dowell team's contingency plan kicked into gear and the operation was completed without a hitch. The busy road and rail line which it crosses were reopened for traffic on schedule.

Soon to be completed, the new 110 metre long, twin-arched steel bridge will provide safe and convenient pedestrian and cyclist access between the east and west sides of Mandurah Road and the Mandurah Train Station. Mandurah is a fast-growing regional centre approximatley 70 km south of Perth, Western Australia.

The construction industry is renowned for its cycles; one minute we are searching for work to keep our people challenged, the next we are searching for skilled people to deliver the volume of work on offer.

In this month's edition of World Pipelines Magazine, McConnell Dowell's Director of Pipelines, Jim Frith shares the principles of workplace prosperity that have helped McConnell Dowell prosper throughout the cycles.

Click here to read the online version or download the pdf here.

Christchurch’s new Dallington Bridge at Gayhurst Road officially opened last Friday, with traffic flowing again across the bridge from midday.

The old bridge closed and demolition and construction work by the McConnell Dowell team began in June last year and took 14 months to complete.

The new bridge is part of the reconstruction of Christchurch after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. McConnell Dowell is a member of SCIRT the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team.

The Dallington and Avonside community came together to celebrate the opening of the bridge with a ribbon-cutting officiated by Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Hon Nicky Wagner, and Councillor Glenn Livingstone.

Speaking at the opening, SCIRT Executive General Manager Ian Campbell said, “This is a real milestone for the community and for Christchurch. Like this bridge, SCIRT’s legacy will be a stronger, more resilient infrastructure for Christchurch. SCIRT’s aim is to rebuild stronger for future generations.

“Above ground, repairing bridges emphasises the importance of SCIRT’s work to the recovery of the city, reconnecting communities. The completion of the Dallington bridge marks a new chapter for a community that has been hit hard by the earthquakes.”

Among the first people to cross the new bridge were children from the local Educational Childcare Centre preschool, dressed in mini versions of SCIRT’s standard protective clothing, and hundreds of local residents.

"The people living in this area have struggled since the earthquakes, and the opening of this bridge will really help lift everyone’s spirits," said Mark Beanland, Dallington Residents Association Chairperson.

There has been a bridge on the site since the early 1880s. The previous bridge, built in 1954, suffered significant damage during the 2011 earthquakes and was weight restricted until its closure last year when the quake-damaged structure was demolished.  

While the new bridge was being built, a temporary pedestrian and cycle bridge helped school children and others cross the river from the Dallington loop area to the city-side of the Avon/Otakaro.

The photo shows Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery the Hon. Nicky Wagner with local children.

  

Built Environs, the commercial construction brand of McConnell Dowell, received a prestigious SA Master Builders Association (MBA) Building Excellence Award at a black tie event held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday 14 August 2015.

MBA Building Excellence Awards are judged by building industry experts according to very strict criteria, with a special emphasis on the quality of the processes that have been followed as well as the quality of the finished product.

The Parks Community Centre Redevelopment won an MBA Building Excellence Award in the commercial refurbishment/ redevelopment over $5 million category – a firm endorsement of the quality of the work managed by the Built Environs team, and the consultants and many subcontractors and trades who contributed to the success of this project.
Delivering this high-profile project to an incredibly tight timeframe on budget and to award-winning standards has helped the SA government meet community needs in Adelaide's north western suburbs.

Faced with an aging facility requiring expensive ongoing maintenance costs, the 2010 the State Government announced its plans to close the centre, demolish the facilities used by 80 community groups and sell the land. Following an overwhelming public response to retain the centre, the State Government reformulated its plans for the Parks Community Centre.

In 2012 it announced its plan to redevelop the site and transform the centre from a welfare centre to a community hub. In 2013 Built Environs was awarded the contract to design, construct and deliver the $20 million project. By early December 2013, Built Environs had already delivered the centre's swimming pools in time for the 2013/2014 summer season.
The new Parks Community Centre now has superbly constructed modern facilities that enable the facility to serve the needs of the local community.

"We're particularly pleased that our ability to manage high-profile, multi-staged projects with complex stakeholder management requirements to high quality standards is being recognised," said Built Environs's Managing Director, Daryl Young.

"With the Parks Community Centre Redevelopment project winning an MBA award, we're clearly able to demonstrate high quality results for our government clients across Australia," added Young.
This project is now nominated for the national MBA awards later this year.

Media enquiries: Will Chapman National New Business Manager M | 0448 869 164

Cross country pipeline construction is a tough business - physically demanding work and long hours, often in harsh climates. Throw in the challenges and temptations of living in a camp with a well-stocked mess, and the impacts on a pipeliner's health can be devastating if not properly managed.

Recognising these challenges, the McConnell Dowell team on APA Group's 1400km long Amadeus Gas Pipeline project in the Northern Territory have embraced Fitbit exercise technology as part of their individual health and safety regime. Project Manager Grant Kruger explains...

"The Fitbits were provided so that the crew could monitor heart rates during intense activity, and as a fatigue management tool. The crew is doing a lot of physically demanding work in very high temperatures in the Territory, and it is useful to monitor heart rates for signs of stress.

"Fatigue is also an issue as we drive long distances, so monitoring the amount of sleep everyone gets is helpful in this regard."

Every morning the crew share their data from the previous 24 hours. Grant continued...

"The boys are very supportive of each other but you can also see some of their competitive streaks coming out, which is good. It is making everyone focus much more on their health and overall fitness."

And the broader McConnell Dowell organisation is watching the initiative with interest. Mark Collins, Group Safety Manager explains...

"Safety is a core value of McConnell Dowell and we are continuously looking at ways of improving how we protect our people using the latest systems, tools and technologies. This initiative by our pipelines team is one we are watching closely to see the results."

It looks like the days of the over-nourished, overweight pipeliner is a thing of the past. What next, 'soy burger and carrot juice' night in the camp mess?

The attached picture shows the crew members with Fitbits at the ready. From left: Shaun Edyvean (Supervisor); Grant Kruger (Project Manager); Graeme Davies (Operator/Labourer); Michael Wherrett (Operator/Labourer); Phil Turco (Operator/Labourer); Aaron Jennings (Blaster/Painter).

The Gold Coast Light Rail Project (Stage 1) enjoyed more success last week when it was awarded the Queensland Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Earth Award for projects over $150 million.

The awards are one of the most prestigious accolades in civil infrastructure and are awarded for excellence and innovation in the fields of construction, environmental and project management.

The Gold Coast Light Rail Project beat some strong competition including the Pacific Motorway Upgrade (Worongary to Mudgeeraba) and the Robinson Road Open Level Crossing Replacement project.

Congratulations to all the team involved and good luck in the upcoming National CCF Earth Awards to be held on 16 October 2015, as part of the CCF National Conference.

Congratulations once again to our community team on the Waitaki Bridges Replacement Project where we have been announced as a finalist in the New Zealand Transport Authority's (NZTA) GEM Awards for 2015 - Connecting with Our Community Category.

The GEM Awards (Going the Extra Mile) are a way for NZTA to recognise and celebrate contractors and suppliers who go the extra mile for customer service, safety and quality.

This is well-deserved recognition for the tremendous community engagement achieved by the McConnell Dowell, NZTA and OPUS team throughout the duration of the project. We have made some life-long friends in the region who continue to be tremendous supporters of the company.

Being chosen as a finalist is a milestone win in itself for the project as NZTA received more than 45 entries this year across all categories, the most entries ever received. The Project also won the top award for excellence in civil Construction at the CCNZ conference last week.

The winner will be announced at the GEM Awards on September 24, 2015.

McConnell Dowell have been selected as the 2015 finalists for the NSCA Foundation / GIO Workers Compensation National Safety Awards of Excellence in the following categories...

Best Work Health and Safety (WHS) Training Program and Best Communication of Safety Message.

The National Safety Awards of Excellence are Australia's longest running, independent awards for recognising outstanding Work Health and Safety initiatives. This year there were 150 nominations over all the categories, highlighting Australian business and individuals who continuously exceed safety standards in their industry.

All finalists will be recognised and winners of each category announced at the gala luncheon, hosted by Channel Seven journalist Edwina Bartholomew and held Thursday 15 October, Shangri-La hotel in Sydney.

McConnell Dowell are delighted to be nominated and to find out more about this prestigious event please click here.

The NZ Transport Agency has awarded McConnell Dowell a design and construct contract for a new, two-lane bridge at Kawarau Falls in Queenstown, New Zealand. 

McConnell Dowell has teamed up with Novare Design Ltd of Wellington for the bridge design.

Speaking on the award, Transport Agency Senior Project Engineer Phil Dowsett said...

"McConnell Dowell has recently completed, very successfully, the two new bridges over the Waitaki River near Kurow for the Transport Agency. They will utilise their team based in Christchurch including some of those people who worked on the Waitaki Bridges."

The completed project will eliminate delays at the existing one-lane bridge and improve the State Highway link from Queenstown to Southland and Milford Sound

Detailed design will commence immediately, along with site establishment and some preparatory works.  Construction of the bridge structure will start at the end of 2015 and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017.

The target is to open the new bridge before the busy winter 2017 season then focus on making the adjacent existing one-lane historic bridge fit for purpose as a walking and cycling route as part of the Queenstown Trails network.

Picture: Concept design of the new bridge.

Congratulations to Storm Nuttall and Winnie Zhu of McConnell Dowell's Western Region for their success at the National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards held in Perth on 10 September 2015.

Storm won the Outstanding Contribution to Construction Award for her coordination and commercial management of the overseas fabrication work for the Roy Hill Iron Ore Project. This award recognises the achievements of an outstanding woman who has contributed to a construction project in any capacity.

Storm commented, "I worked on a fabulous project, with excellent people; it was a joy to go to work and face the daily challenges. I thank MCD for nominating and supporting me."

Winnie was jointly awarded the Young Achiever Award for her work as Site Engineer on the Roy Hill Iron Ore and FMG Rail projects. This award recognises the achievements of an outstanding woman aged 35 or younger working in the construction industry or studying in a construction related field. The award includes a place in the NAWIC mentoring programme.

Winnie added, "I feel honoured for the nomination by MCD. Both projects were excellent opportunities for me, where I expanded my knowledge and developed my skills, with help from my colleagues along the way."

NAWIC is a not-for-profit organisation formed in Australia in 1995 and affiliated to the international body. The Association is the peak body representing women in the built environment. NAWIC encourages and supports women in the construction and related affiliate industries.

An enthusiastic group from our Perth Office attended the breakfast to support Storm and Winnie.

Picture: Storm Nuttall

Picture: Winnie Zhu

The McConnell Dowell team was active this week at the International Construction Week event held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Mr Murray Dundas, Managing Director of our Singapore and Malaysian business, presented a paper on safety and signed of a memorandum of understanding with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) of Malaysia. The CIDB is a statutory body under the Minister of Works. It was established in July 1994 and it coordinates all activities in the construction industry with the aim of increasing competitiveness and performance. The MOU will see McConnell Dowell adopt CIDB's Safety and Health Assessment System in Construction (SHASSIC) and Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC) on its projects in Malaysia, and possibly beyond in other parts of South East Asia.

Mr Dundas also had a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia and held a press conference with the waiting media.

The McConnell Dowell team also had a stand at the event which was kept busy with a constant stream of visitors.

McConnell Dowell is pleased to have been selected by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to construct the Barangaroo Ferry Hub in Sydney.

Barangaroo is an ambitious urban renewal project showcasing Sydney as Australia's gateway to the world. Once completed, the $6 billion, 22 hectares development is expected to accommodate up to 23,000 office workers and attract up to 33,000 visitors per day.

The ferry hub will be a vital connection to this key destination, increasing public transport options and helping ease pressure on Circular Quay. The project includes the construction of two ferry wharves featuring fully accessible pontoons, seated waiting areas, weather protection, real-time service information and electronic ticketing using the Opal card.

Reflecting on the award, General Manager Central Region, Mr. David Lougher said...

"McConnell Dowell is proud to have the opportunity to contribute to the construction of Barangaroo, one of Sydney's most iconic projects. We look forward to working with TfNSW to deliver a quality product for the people of NSW"

The Ferry Hub is expected to open to customers in late 2016.

Picture: Artist's impression with Ferry Hub in foreground.

Built Environs is McConnell Dowell's commercial building company with the ability to deliver significant and complex projects anywhere in Australia.

Built Environs has delivered Defence related projects around Australia, including at HMAS Stirling and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia, and the multi-award-winning RAAF Base Edinburgh LEAP Phase 2 Project in South Australia (pictured). 

With offices in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland, Built Environs is now seeking high-performance WA-based building construction professionals to contribute to their strategy of growing a national presence in Defence projects.

Who we need

From the building industry, we are seeking applications from the following professionals:

• Project Manager
• Site Manager
• Site Foremen
• Site Engineer/Project Coordinator
• Commercial Manager
• WHS Manager

To be considered for the above roles you will have demonstrated Defence sector project experience and will possess appropriate tertiary qualifications or equivalent industry experience.

This is an excellent opportunity to progress your career working for a growing national business while enjoying competitive remuneration in an innovative, supportive and rewarding work environment.

If you are passionate about delivering design and building excellence, this is your opportunity to join a dynamic national building company.

Our culture is one of openness and inclusion. We empower our people to contribute to the success of the business and suggest ways in which we can improve our performance.

To apply, please click the following link here or visit www.builtenvirons.com.au

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE.

Picture: RAAF Base Edinburgh LEAP Phase 2 Project, South Australia

McConnell Dowell is a proud cornerstone partner of the Christchurch Arts Festival and the Architects of Air, ARBORIA luminarium exhibited in Cathedral Square. Our support enabled the Festival to keep entry prices to ARBORIA down to $5 per person.

McConnell Dowell launched a competition to find out how creative Christchurch children can be and students from the region rose to the challenge! Coral Murray won the McConnell Dowell Serious Fun art competition, and with her Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery School classmates joined McConnell Dowell and special guests to celebrate the grand opening of the ARBORIA luminarium.

 Ao Tawhiti Discovery school with Rob Wotherspoon, McConnell Dowell Christchurch Regional Manager and Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck at the ARBORIA grand opening event.

Students from Linwood North School joined in on the festivities with their own luminarium designs.

Rob Wotherspoon, Christchurch Regional Manager welcoming guests.

McConnell Dowell's guests enjoying the ARBORIA experience.

ARBORIA in Cathedral Square.

Photos courtesy of Chenturi Chan Photography.

Mr Scott Cummins commenced his role as Chief Executive Officer of McConnell Dowell Corporation this week. He replaces outgoing CEO David Robinson, who will retire at the end of October, 2015 after a managed transition.

Commenting on his new position Scott said...

"I am excited and honoured to be the new CEO of McConnell Dowell, an organisation with 54 years' experience in delivering outstanding projects across a vast part of the world.

"I would like to thank David Robinson for his exceptional contribution to the company and to the broader construction industry over his 37 year career. He has passed on to me a strong company and a skilled and committed team ready to address current industry challenges and progess into the future.

"I will spend the next couple of months visiting Company offices, facilities, construction sites and our clients and partners to gain a full appreciation of our current operations, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

"I look forward to working with McConnell Dowell's loyal clients and business partners and, in collaboration with them, continuing to build great projects that enhance our cities and rural communities."

Scott Cummins Biography

Scott brings extensive 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, Dubai and London.

He is an Australian national with a Bachelor of Engineering from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia and an MBA from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK.

After more than 12 months of fast-track construction and over four million manhours completed without a lost time injury, McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Fourth Transmission Pipeline Stage 2 (FTP2) project in Thailand.

The contract, awarded to McConnell Dowell Constructors Thai by PTT Public Company Limited, involved construction of over 60km of 42 inch high pressure gas pipelines and major facilities spread over 300km of challenging terrain and traversing six provinces of Thailand, between Nakhon in the north and Rayong in the south. 

The pipeline encompassed extensive trenchless construction including 45 waterway crossings and 189 road crossings. In addition, 157 km of right of way had to be rehabilitated, and damaged or unusable fibre-optic cable conduit repaired or replaced. At peak construction, personnel exceeded 2,800 located at over 50 discrete work locations.

We also used our own local fabrication facility in Thailand to expedite the fabrication of all structural, mechanical, and piping needed for the extensive above ground facilities which included 18 block valves, mid-line pig launcher/ receiver station, and end-of-line facilities. 

The Vale Iron Ore Jetty Project, was announced as the country’s best major infrastructure project at the Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Awards (MCIEA) ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, 11^th September 2015.

McConnell Dowell, together with Bam from the Netherlands and Malaysian partner SYS, completed the project in late 2013 for Brazilian mining giant Vale. The results were the construction of a new wharf which connects an angle shaped transfer platform, to a 1,800-meter long access trestle joining the platform to shore.

The new jetty accommodates some of the largest bulk carriers currently sailing the oceans to date, illustrating McConnell Dowell's strength in building jetties at an extraordinary scale.

For more information contact: Calven.Bland@mcdgroup.com

  

The $1.4 billion Gold Coast Light Rail Project received more accolades last week winning the national award for excellence in civil construction from the Australian Civil Contractors Federation (CCF).

The award was in the top category, involving projects valued at over $150m. It beat some stiff competition including some major expressway projects

In assessing the project, the judges said...

"This is a city-changing infrastructure project that has integrated new and existing transport systems and stimulated urban regeneration. Working on and adjacent to live roadways with up to 32,000 vehicles per day, the project implemented more than 57 traffic management plans. The complexity of the project demanded outstanding design solutions, engineering excellence and pioneering construction methods."

Harry Hartman, Project Director, accepted the award on behalf of the large team who worked tirelessly between 2011 and 2014 to design and deliver this complex project.

Alice, the giant Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has today successfully completed excavation of the second motorway tunnel on Auckland’s Waterview Connection motorway project.

One of the largest TBM’s ever used in the Southern Hemisphere broke through into daylight after its 2.4km-long journey underground between the suburbs of Waterview and Owairaka.

“Today’s breakthrough is a massive milestone for a project that will transform the way Aucklanders get around their city – a brilliant and remarkable effort and a proud day that needs to be celebrated,” says the NZ Transport Agency’s Highways Manager in Auckland, Brett Gliddon.

Around 800 staff and contractors who’ve been working hard to deliver the project, stopped work this morning to watch the breakthrough together, live on specially erected screens and celebrate their success so far.

“The risks associated with constructing tunnels twice as long as the Auckland Harbour Bridge were always high and the Waterview team rightly needs to be congratulated for its engineering skills and innovation to complete this job safely and on time. That’s a fantastic achievement.”

The $1.4bn Waterview Connection is New Zealand’s largest ever roading project. It includes construction of twin 3-lane tunnels – the longest road tunnels in the country - and a giant interchange to connect Auckland’s Northwestern and Southwestern Motorways (State Highways 16 and 20).

The project is being delivered for the Transport Agency by the Well-Connected Alliance.

Tunnelling at Waterview first began in 2013. The first tunnel was completed in September 2014. In a rare manoeuvre for any TBM worldwide, Alice was then turned 180 degrees to complete her second drive.

“The project’s careful and detailed design, planning and operation for the construction of the tunnels and the complex turnaround grabbed some pretty amazing headlines in New Zealand and overseas,” Mr Gliddon says.

During her time underground, Alice excavated enough dirt to fill 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools and installed more than 24,000 concrete segments to line both tunnels.

The TBM’s job is now complete. Over the coming months Alice will be taken apart and returned to the German company, Herrenknecht, that designed and built her.

“Although it’s the end of the road for Alice she will leave behind a lasting legacy – the world class tunnels she helped construct that will benefit Auckland and New Zealand for 100 years and more,” Mr Gliddon says.

Meanwhile, there is a busy programme of work to complete both tunnels. Sixteen cross passages linking the two tunnels are being constructed, equipment to safely operate the tunnels together with lighting and signage are being fitted, walls and the ceiling are being painted, and back-filling continues before the motorway asphalt is laid.

The Transport Agency plans to open the tunnels and the adjacent Great North Road Interchange in early 2017.

The Waterview Connection completes Auckland’s Western Ring Route, a 48km alternative route to SH1. It will link Manukau, Auckland, Waitakere and the North Shore, improving network resilience, travel time reliability and bus shoulder lanes as well as upgrading cycleway and pedestrian facilities.

The Waterview Connection 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.

For the latest breakthrough video visit:

Waterview - Alice's Breakthrough Video - 19 October 2015