McConnell Dowell was honoured to host the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt Hon. Christopher Luxon, Tonga’s Minister for Infrastructure, Hon. Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika, and the Hon. Dr Shane Reti, Minister for Pacific Peoples, at the Fanga‘uta Lagoon Bridge project site yesterday.
The visit marks a significant milestone in the delivery of this transformative infrastructure project.
During the visit, the leaders toured the site and met with the workforce, which is approximately 80% Tongan, as they prepare to construct the new 720-metre, two-lane bridge and 2,100 metres of access roading.
Once complete, the new bridge and access roads will:
- Ease congestion and shorten travel times
- Improve pedestrian access and safety
- Provide a resilient evacuation route for the local community
Beyond the physical infrastructure, the USD $97 million project will deliver lasting social and economic benefits for Tonga, creating new employment opportunities, supporting local businesses, and strengthening construction capability within the Kingdom.
Speaking previously at the project groundbreaking ceremony, McConnell Dowell Managing Director Fraser Wyllie said:
“We are not just building a bridge, we are helping build futures.” ce in Tonga. The team delivering the Queen Sālote Wharf Upgrade has transitioned to the bridge project, ensuring continuity of local knowledge and capability. During the wharf project, the team completed 1,000,000 working hours without a single Lost Time Injury.
McConnell Dowell invested USD $10 million in Tonga through local employment, equipment procurement, and capability development — including establishing a new concrete batching plant, a materials testing laboratory, and delivering more than 3,000 hours of training and development.
“We remain committed to hiring and training local workers wherever possible,” Mr Wyllie said.
The Fanga‘uta Lagoon Bridge project is being delivered in partnership with the Tongan Ministry of Infrastructure, with investment support from the Asian Development Bank. The project team is committed to sustainable construction practices, environmental protection, strong community engagement, and a robust health and safety culture.
“McConnell Dowell has felt genuinely welcomed in Tonga over recent years, and it’s a privilege to help deliver infrastructure that supports communities, strengthens resilience, and fosters long-term economic growth“.
Above: Left to right: McConnell Dowell Project Manager Frank Schubert, Managing Director Fraser Wyllie, Minister for Infrastructure Hon. Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika and Prime Minister of New Zealand Rt Hon. Christopher Luxon.
Watch some highlights of the visit here:
In partnership with WorkSafe Victoria, we’re proud to launch a new series of 14 short, practical training videos designed to tackle the real behaviours that too often lead to incidents on site, like mobile phone use, plant exclusion zones, safe scaffolding, fatigue management, and more.
If you’re a safety professional, supervisor, or contractor lead, we encourage you to use these videos with your teams; they’re short, engaging, and easy to roll into everyday safety conversations, toolbox talks, and inductions.
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Visit safesites-together.com to access the videos and learn more.
Congratulations to Leo Jin, winner of the 2025 Aveng Values Awards
In 2025, more than 300 nominations were submitted from across Aveng, McConnell Dowell, Built Environs and Moolmans, with 12 finalists shortlisted. Leo was ultimately selected by our Executive Leadership Team.
A member of our Built Environs team, Leo was called on to support McConnell Dowell South East Asia on a complex project in Singapore. Accepting the assignment at short notice, he quickly embedded himself in the project team, sharing technical expertise to help upskill local staff, supporting coordination of building works, and strengthening collaboration across business units.
Leo also demonstrated exceptional personal commitment, working away from his family and extending what began as a short-term assignment into a full year to ensure continuity and successful delivery.
Leo’s contribution exemplifies Aveng’s values in action, particularly Working Together and Performance Excellence.
Congratulations, Leo, on this outstanding and well-deserved recognition.
The Board of Aveng Limited, owner of Australasian infrastructure and building business McConnell Dowell, and African mining contractor Moolmans, has today advised the market of the retirement of Group CEO Scott Cummins, which will be effective from 30 January 2026.
Cummins joined the Group in 2015, initially as CEO of McConnell Dowell, before stepping up to the parent company Aveng CEO role in early 2024.
In announcing the change, Aveng Chair Philip Hourquebie noted: “Scott has led McConnell Dowell and Aveng through a period of significant change and challenge. Under his leadership, MCD has grown scale, entered a number of new markets, navigated the complexity of COVID and its aftermath, and built a respected, internationally award-winning brand. Throughout that time, Scott has also remained focused on ensuring we live our company values and purpose.”
The Board advised the market in December 2025 that, after considering a range of options for the separation of the McConnell Dowell and Moolmans businesses, the Board concluded that the best route to obtaining value for shareholders at this juncture is for Aveng to focus on improving consistent operational performance across all its operating entities.
Reflecting on this position, Cummins said: “After a decade in senior leadership positions within the Group, it is timely to put in place new leadership to steer our businesses through the coming years of change and transformation. In my view, which is shared by the Board, now is the right time to move into a new phase of performance and growth under the leadership of a new Group CEO.”
To that end, the Board announced the appointment of David Simpson as the Interim Group Chief Executive and a director of the company with effect from 30 January 2026. David is a highly experienced executive with legal, commercial and general management expertise in leading companies through growth, restructuring and transitions. David has led businesses in engineering, construction, maintenance and consulting services operating in the infrastructure, road, rail, resources and industrial services sectors. David’s key focus areas will include improving operational performance and profitability, positioning the business for future growth and resolving contractual disputes.
Simpson noted of the appointment: “I am honoured to have been appointed as the interim leader of such a diverse and well respected business as Aveng, and its key brands of McConnell Dowell, Built Environs and Moolmans. I look forward to visiting our many project sites and engaging with our staff, customers and communities over the next few months.”
The Board has appointed external advisors to assist in the appointment of a permanent CEO.
Media Contact: Kate Balme, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jeroen Christophe as Regional Manager Engineering for our South East Asian business.
With more than 10 years of experience in marine construction and design, Jeroen has played a pivotal role across the Group, providing technical marine expertise and engineering-based evaluations and recommendations throughout the full project life cycle — from tender development through to delivery and commissioning.
Jeroen holds a Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering) and a Master of Science (Geo-Engineering). Prior to joining our business, he worked in a Project Management capacity with BAM International, supporting major projects across the globe.
Outside of work, Jeroen enjoys spending time with his three-year-old daughter and embarking on family adventures. He has a passion for exploring new cultures through food and travel, is an enthusiastic cyclist who enjoys both relaxed seaside rides and competitive racing, and takes every opportunity to go scuba diving.
Please join us in welcoming Jeroen to our Senior Leadership Team in South East Asia. We are confident that he will make a significant contribution and play an important role in the continued growth of our business in the region.