Aurecon

In April 2008, Aurecon was engaged to undertake technical studies and investigations for the Adelaide Desalination Project. The initial scope of work included conducting environmental and engineering investigation, developing concept designs for the 100 GL per annum seawater desalination plant and transfer pipeline, and involvement in the environmental impact statement (EIS) process.

Large infrastructure projects such as this are complex to plan, design and construct. There are many commercial, legal, technical, environmental, community and political dimensions that need to be considered.

The marine and terrestrial environmental and engineering investigation programme that supported the EIS and concept design process was a major challenge. It involved not only Aurecon’s own environmental, geotechnical and engineering specialists, but the management of nearly 50 sub-consultants, procurement of a jack-up barge, and the input of South Australian Water Corporation (SA Water) specialists and external reviewers. 

For the pre-construction phase of the Adelaide Desalination Project, Aurecon worked closely, and collaboratively, within a wider integrated project team set up by SA Water. In addition to our direct deliverables, we provided assistance to the wider team in terms of the development of the feasibility study, including the business case, plant site selection, pipeline route selection, procurement strategies, and risk management plan.

Aurecon also assisted with the development of tender documents and participated in the bid evaluation process to appoint the consortia and other contractors.

In addition, Aurecon provided the performance-based technical specifications for the plant’s design and construction contract, and associated 20 year operations and maintenance contract, to best meet SA Water’s long term needs across the technical and commercial objectives.

Aurecon’s engineering and environmental investigations to evaluate the technical and environmental feasibility of the project helped SA Water achieve its objectives. The project is on track to achieve a plant commissioning date 12 months ahead of the original project timeframe.  Aurecon is currently delivering construction phase contract management, project management and technical advisory services for the Project.

The plant is being constructed under a design build operate and maintain (DBOM) contract arrangement, with separate contracts for the 13 km transfer pipeline and pump station, power supply infrastructure and early enabling works. Working with the integrated wider project team, the EIS process and approvals, and signing of major works contracts, were all successfully achieved within the tight project timeframe. 

First water will be delivered by the end of December 2010 at a rate of approximately 15 million litres a day, progressing to 50GL capacity by the end of August 2011 and full 100GL capacity by the end of December 2012.