At the start of this year, we kicked off our ‘WINTR’ or Women in Non-Traditional Roles program which is designed to provide aspiring women with invaluable hands-on experience and accredited industry qualifications in roles traditionally held by men.
And what a success! Not only has the program allowed us to reach our goal of 25% women employees in NSW, but it has also diversified our talent pool by introducing women with unique perspectives from industries beyond construction.
Furthermore, over 50% of our first cohort come from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds - significantly enhancing the diversity of our company and creating a richer and more inclusive work environment.
The NSW Government recently published a case study recognising our program. Click on the image below to read more.
McConnell Dowell and Built Environs, our vertical construction company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ara Education Charitable Trust (AECT) in late June.
Members of the Senior Leadership Team from both organisations came together to build relationships and lay the foundation for future collaboration.
AECT is a not-for-profit organisation that provides work experience and career education for students in their final two years at school. The trust also helps students obtain work placements after they have graduated from the Trade Academies Programme.
Currently, the AECT team is working with students from five South Auckland schools. Old state houses are donated to the trust by Kainga Ora, Auckland Council, Auckland Airport and the Eastern Busway Project. Those enrolled in the programme spend a year renovating the donated houses so they can get real-life experience. “It’s about teaching our young men and women about work ethic; coming to work on time and completing the work to a standard where they can be proud of what they have achieved,” says carpentry tutor Mat Watford.
McConnell Dowell’s purpose is to ‘provide a better life’ and partnering with AECT is one way we can support a new generation eager to enter the construction industry.
Social and Broader Outcomes Advisor, Donna Wilson, has identified three areas where we can collaborate; hands-on engagement with their Forever Home Project for meaningful outcomes in the community, providing our skilled employees who can teach students, and recycling materials from our various work sites to support their charitable builds.
Donna is excited about the partnership’s potential and keen to see how it grows and the Forever Homes that we will build together with AECT.
It has been 730 days since we signed the contract for the Central Plant & Tunnel project in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), and the team has made tremendous progress.
The timelapse video below takes you back to where it all started, and highlights the action so far:
- The installation of 283 piles and 390m of capping beams.
- 4500m2 of temporary shotcrete walls.
- 19,500m3 of spoil excavated.
- 220 metres of the 240 m long tunnel constructed.
- Three of the four floors in the central plant building are now completed.
- 50% of the services within the tunnel are now installed.
We’ve passed many milestones and the ‘light’ at the end of the tunnel is getting closer.
The next 235 days are when Auckland City Hospital staff and visitors will see the most dramatic changes onsite with the:
- Completion of the central plant building.
- The last 20m and full fit-out of the 240m tunnel.
- Removal of the temporary haul road ramp.
- Making the building watertight and the completion of the facade.
- Fit-out of the services building.
- Installation of the water tanks.
- Road reinstatement and landscaping works.
- Landscaping works are needed in
The five-story central plant building is constructed using bespoke triple friction pendulum bearings, which allows the hospital to remain operational in the event of a disaster.
Please click here to read more about the project.
Wednesday 5th June is World Environment Day, an event observed for over 50 years to encourage discussion and action to protect our environment. This year’s theme is #GenerationRestoration, focusing on our ability to restore past damages and make peace with the land.
At McConnell Dowell, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously, proactively seeking ways to minimise our impact on the land and embrace a circular economy in the areas where we operate.
To find out more about our achievements and case studies on last year’s theme: ‘Beating Plastic Pollution’, and what we are already doing for #GenerationRestoration, click the picture below.
Aerial shot of the Queen Sālote International Wharf Upgrade project underway in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
On Friday 12 July government, community, industry leaders, and guest of honour the Prime Minister of Tonga, celebrated the official handover of Phase One of the Queen Sālote International Wharf (QSIW) project.
The event was an impressive affair with distinguished speakers including:
- Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni
- Minister for Infrastructure, Hon. Sevenitini Toumoua
- Ports Authority Tonga, CEO, Mr Alo ki Hakau Maileseni
- Free Weslyan Church of Tonga, Rev. Dr Heneli Taliai Niumeitolu
- McConnell Dowell NZ and Pacific, Managing Director, Fraser Wyllie
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) Pacific Department, Director General, Ms Leah Gutierrez
- Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Brek Batley
- Ports Authority Tonga, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Sione Ngongo Kioa
- Ministry of Infrastructure, CEO, Mr Lopeti Heimuli
Guest of honour, the Prime Minister of Tonga, the Hon. Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni recognised McConnell Dowell’s commitment to sustainable outcomes on the project and that the completion of the project next year would “bring Tonga many steps closer to fulfilling its economic development potential”.
“The project has made considerable efforts in building local capacity and has employed about 80% of its workforce locally, including 16 women, accounting for about 11% of the local about force.
“Experienced expatriates have also returned to Tonga to work on the project. This job upskilling aligns with the government’s strategic priority of more inclusive, sustainable, and empowering human development.
Managing Director for McConnell Dowell NZ & Pacific, Fraser Wyllie celebrated the collaboration between McConnell Dowell, Royal HaskoningDHV, the Port and other key stakeholders and the team’s enthusiasm.
We are continuing the momentum that made Phase 1 such as a success into Phase 2. Work is well underway with 12 pile casings for the deck extension already installed.”
The bunting was collectively broken to mark the official handover and guests toured a new dolphin before enjoying, tau’olunga a traditional Tongan song and dance. The event ended with closing remarks from the Tongan Port Authority Chairman, a hymn, benediction, and the Tongan national anthem.
The wharf was operational from Monday 15 July and will be able to dock and unload larger ships safely thanks to the 50m extension and new dolphins. About 85% of the kingdom’s cargo is handled via the Port so the new facilities will provide valuable additional capacity for trade.
Phase One construction highlights:
- 500,000 hours worked with no Lost Time Injuries or Medical Treatments
- A local workforce of 137 who have completed 200 formal training courses
- Demolition of the old Wharf 1 and the rebuild to a 50-year design life
- Construction of three new dolphins
- Laying 17,500 m² of concrete slabs (9,000 m3)
- Approximately 750,000 paver blocks for a new handstand
- New power distribution network, stormwater drainage, and fire protection services.
- Sustainability initiatives include:
- Recycling waste concrete – crushing it to fill 9T bags for the seawall revetment.
- Recycling 10No. 20 ft containers of reinforcing steel.
Watch highlights from the event below or visit the project webpage to watch timelapse footage of the project and find out more.
