Consortium contracted to deliver water supply pipeline to Broken Hill

A consortium comprising John Holland, MPC Group and TRILITY has been awarded the contract to design, build, operate and maintain a 270 km steel water pipeline that will deliver water supply security for the people of Broken Hill.

The large-scale water pipeline project will draw up to 37.4 ML peak daily demand from the River Murray near Wentworth and transport the supply to Essential Water in Broken Hill as the local water service provider. It includes construction of three pump stations, water storages, power supply infrastructure and a long-term operation and maintenance program.

The WaterNSW contract will see John Holland MPC Group Joint Venture design and construct the River Murray to Broken Hill Pipeline at a total project cost of $467 million. John Holland TRILITY Joint Venture will then undertake the operations and maintenance of the pipeline for a fixed-price 20-year contract sum of $107.3 million.

“This pipeline will provide long-term water security for the Broken Hill community, enabling it to thrive,” said John Holland CEO Joe Barr.

“Our efficient design ensured the best outcomes in terms of pipe sizes and pumping stations.

“We are focused on maximising the short-term benefits locally. The project is forecast to spend $50 million in the local area and employ 150 local people from a peak workforce of around 500.”

TRILITY Managing Director Francois Gouws said his company has been providing water supply services in NSW for over 25 years — almost 20 of which have been spent operating facilities along the River Murray, according to General Manager Operations Mark Griscti. TRILITY therefore brings to the team particular experience in servicing regional communities.

“We pride ourselves on our experience in working and integrating with the local communities in which we serve,” Gouws said.

“Through this project we look forward to developing our relationship with WaterNSW and further strengthening our relationship with our partners John Holland and MPC Group.”

MPC Group CEO John Smith welcomed the news of the successful joint venture bid and said his company looks forward to being a part of the water security commitment made by the NSW Government to the people of Broken Hill.

“This water supply solution will essentially drought-proof Broken Hill and ensure its community has the necessary water resources for long-term sustainability that will underpin and enable future growth,” Smith said.

He said apart from the extensive experience that MPC, John Holland and TRILITY have in the construction, operation and maintenance of water supply infrastructure, all three companies also share a common goal of ensuring host communities benefit from these types of projects.

“This project will deliver secure water supplies for Broken Hill’s future growth, but will also deliver opportunities for local businesses to become involved through their services and supplies, and provide local people with employment opportunities,” Smith said.

With construction set to commence in early 2018, the consortium will soon conduct a series of project forums, where local businesses and job seekers can register their interest in becoming a part of the project’s delivery. The pipeline is expected to be ready to transfer water by the end of 2018.