QLDC Procurement Advisor – 3 Waters Programme
The $200 million 3 Waters Programme comprises over 100 different projects and involves upgrades and expansion of stormwater, wastewater and potable water networks, pumping stations, water treatment plants, and reservoirs.
Date: 2018
Client: Queenstown Lakes District Council
Project Location: Queenstown
Services Provided: Strategic Procurement Advice
Due to recent rapid population expansion QLDC is undertaking major infrastructure redevelopment. The $200 million 3 Waters Programme comprises over 100 different projects and involves upgrades and expansion of stormwater, wastewater and potable water networks, pumping stations, water treatment plants, and reservoirs.
The size of the 3W Programme, added to other extensive works happening in the area, means that Queenstown faces significant logistical challenges. There is a limited pool of local resources necessitating the use of out of town consultants and contractors. Particular issues include the logistics of accommodating workers without taking from tourism, keeping the town operating and traffic flowing, and significant interface issues between adjacent projects.
TEAM and ArcBlue joined forces to provide strategic procurement advice to QLDC on how to deliver this huge programme of works.
Calling on our industry experience and networks, we undertook market analysis to determine the capacity of design and contractor resources, and assisted QLDC in appropriately bundling projects and project types accordingly.
We provided strategic advice relating to both Design and Build and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) procurement models and with QLDC’s legal advisor we have standardised consultant and contractor documentation.
Paul led the authoring of tender documentation and the procurement process to form Design Services and Contract Works Panels.
Lessons to be shared
In a busy national construction market where suppliers have a number of possible business opportunities, it is essential to understand what will and will not be an attractive proposition.
As a result of market sounding and feedback, industry briefing and engagement sessions, and an understanding of the wider Queenstown economic environment, we provided a procurement strategy that focusses not only on Client needs, but also addresses current market conditions.
The 3 Waters Programme is bigger than anything before undertaken in Queenstown and requires changes to traditional ways of working. The success of the Programme requires clear articulation and communication of the reasons for change to get buy in at all levels.