Capability Statement

Capability Statement

Prepared for Prepared for APA Group

May 2026

Introduction General

Introduction General

Thank you for the opportunity to present this brief capability statement which details a cross-section of our skills and experience, and showcases a selection of our recent projects.

About Us (typically use first)

About Us (typically use first)

For over 65 years customers have been coming to McConnell Dowell with complex projects that require innovative solutions. That's why we're known as the Creative Construction company.

From remote resources and energy projects to city-shaping infrastructure, we've built thousands of quality assets and facilities.

Engineering-led, our expertise has grown steadily to span building, civil, electrical, fabrication, marine, mechanical, pipelines, rail, tunnel and underground construction..

Our Approach (typically use 2nd or 3rd)

Our Approach (typically use 2nd or 3rd)

We approach every project with a focus on creativity and certainty - seeking the right blend of innovation and safe, proven approaches so we can exceed our customers' expectations.

We also understand that construction today is as much about community and sustainability as it is about concrete and steel. Our unwavering objective and commitment is to deliver what we promise to our customers, while protecting and enhancing our people, the community and the environment.

Creative Construction

Creative Construction

Creative Construction at McConnell Dowell is the inspired engineering behind the complex infrastructure we deliver.

It's the technical problems and challenges solved behind the scenes by people empowered to think creatively and work collaboratively. It’s the alternative idea or innovation that saves time, reduces cost, makes us safer, and delivers more value. 

It might not always be evident when you look at the end product, but it's there, inside every McConnell Dowell project.

Sustainability (ESG)

Sustainability (ESG)

Our purpose is 'Providing a Better Life’ - today and into the future. That’s why sustainability, in all its forms, is considered in every project, process and product across our business.

Our approach is clearly articulated in our Sustainability Policy.

We're about action not just aspiration. Our ambitious but achievable {tip title="Carbon Reduction Roadmap" content="MCD Carbon roadmap 2030"} carbon reduction road-map {/tip} will see us be operationally net zero by 2030, with 44 initiatives that are being progressively rolled out across the company. Last year we reduced our carbon emissions by 442 tonnes through the use of solar technologies alone, and diverted almost two million tonnes of waste from landfill.

Environmental

Environmental

We understand the impact construction can have on our natural ecologies and we're constantly seeking ways to minimise our footprint and restore and improve the natural environment and biodiversity around our works.

We've embraced the circular economy, renewed local ecologies, reconnected habitats, and lowered energy use across our projects in line with our {tip title="Carbon Reduction Roadmap" content="MCD Carbon roadmap 2030"} carbon reduction road-map {/tip}.

We set energy and waste reduction targets on every project and are committed to making our environmental footprint as small as possible, as showcased in the recent case studies below.

Safety

Safety

We never compromise on safety.

We foster our 'Home Without Harm' safety culture through robust processes, effective systems, and by recognising and rewarding safe behaviours.

Our Site Safety Managers are always on our project leadership teams, ensuring safety is prioritised in all site activities. Every team member has clear safety responsibilities, aimed at protecting themselves, their colleagues, and the community.

We're also leading our industry in the adoption of new safety technologies, like virtual reality plant simulators and AI-enabled blind spot elimination. Check out the case studies below for more information.

Underpinning it all are our Safety Golden Rules. Built on our long-term collective knowledge and learnings, they are specifically targeted at preventing fatalities and serious injuries.

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Our Solutions (typically use 4th to 8th)

Our Solutions (typically use 4th to 8th)

We offer our customers engineering and construction solutions in transport, water & wastewater, ports & coastal, energy, resources, and building.

Our services encompass the complete project lifecycle—from early concept design to commissioning and ongoing maintenance. We tailor each solution to suit our customer's specific project objectives and preferred delivery approach.

WA Intro (typically use 4th to 8th)

WA Intro (typically use 4th to 8th)

Since securing our first gas pipeline project in Western Australia in the early 1970s, we've gone on to deliver a steady stream of marine, civil, pipelines, rail and mechanical projects for Australia’s blue chip resource organisations and the WA state government.

During the most recent mining boom we delivered most of the new iron ore export wharves for FMG, BHP and Rio Tinto. We've also delivered hundreds of kilometres of gas pipelines and rail infrastructure throughout the state.

Closer to the CBD we've delivered rail grade separations, and all the mechanical and electrical packages for Perth's first desalination plant.

Water & Wastewater Solutions

Water & Wastewater Solutions

We understand what matters most to our water industry customers - uninterrupted supply, minimal disruption, safety, compliance, and positive community engagement.

We've been entrusted with the design and delivery of major metro desalination and water treatment plants, as well as the construction of dams and large-diameter pipeline and pump station networks.

We've delivered approximately $9 billion in new water assets over the last 15 years, including:


SA Water Design and Construct Port Stanvac, South Australia

Adelaide Desalination Plant

Setting new benchmarks in efficiency and reliability

We were a member of the Adelaide Aqua consortia responsible for designing, building, and commissioning the Adelaide Desalination Plant, the state's largest ever infrastructure project. The reverse osmosis plant is one of the most efficient in the world and can produce 100 GL of fresh water each year.

The project encompassed all construction disciplines including bulk earthworks, civil structures, marine, tunnelling, mechanical, electrical, and building works. Some 10,000 people were employed during construction.

Fast Facts

  • 650,000 m3 of earthworks
  • 2 subsea tunnels: 1.4 km and 1.1 km long
  • 40 km of fibreglass, steel and PVC pipework
  • 12 buildings
  • 10,000 people employed during construction
Adelaide Desalination Plant
 Watercare Services Ltd Type: Design and Construct  Army Bay, Auckland, New Zealand

Army Bay Ocean Outfall

Record Breaking Direct Pipe Drive

Using state-of-the-art Direct Pipe® tunnelling technology for the first time in New Zealand helped us mitigate the significant risks we faced on Watercare's Army Bay Ocean Outfall project.

They engaged us to design and construct a new wastewater outfall, upgrade an existing pump station, and build a new ultraviolet disinfection facility to increase the outfall capacity of their Army Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant at Shakespear Regional Park.

Fast Facts

  • 3 km of gravity system replacement pipeline
  • 1.9 km of trenchless pipeline using the Direct Pipe® system
  • 1,100 mm OD HDPE liner pipe (installed within 1200mm OD steel casing)
  • 900 mm OD HDPE outfall pipeline
  • new UV treatment plant, including electrical controls and standby generator
  • 1929 m world record for the longest Direct Pipe® drive.
Army Bay Ocean Outfall
Watercare Services Ltd Design & Construct Auckland, New Zealand

Hobson Bay Tunnel Project

Sewage infrastructure upgrade to accommodate population growth

We introduced new tunnelling techniques and lining systems to New Zealand when we replaced the 90 year old sewage pipe crossing Hobson Bay on Auckland's waterfront. And we delivered it ahead of schedule.

The new tunnel increases sewerage capacity for projected population growth and prevents wastewater overflows into the bay and Waitemata Harbour basin, a popular swimming and boating spot.

Fast Facts

  • 3 km long, 3.8 m dia tunnel driven 30 m below the bay floor
  • Three shafts (23 m, 8 m & 10 m internal dia), approx. 35 m to 40 m deep
  • Mechanical and electrical works
  • Surface reticulation and connection works
  • Demolition of the existing sewer pipeline
  • 17 days ahead of schedule
Hobson Bay Tunnel Project
Watercare Services Ltd Design & Construct Auckland, New Zealand

Hūnua 4 Section 11

Improving and expanding Auckland's water infrastructure

We designed and constructed the final section of Auckland's biggest water pipeline project, re-routing the pipeline to minimise impacts, and completing New Zealand's longest ever pipe-jack.

The 32 km long Hūnua 4 project connects Watercare’s reservoirs in Manukau to central city water storage, improving the capacity and the resilience of the city's water network.

Fast Facts

  • 3.5 km watermain tunnel, up to 30 m below ground
  • 1.5 m OD diameter steel liner and 2.5 m OD diameter concrete casing
  • 6 jacking and reception shafts
  • 80% trenchless construction to reduce disruption
  • 3 small sections trenched, only 50 to 75 m of trench open at a time
  • 55 tonne Herrenkenecht TBM used
Hūnua 4 Section 11
Watercare Services Ltd Design & Construct Warkworth, Auckland, New Zealand

Warkworth to Snells Transfer Pipeline

Enhancing wastewater management for a sustainable future

Drawing on our industry-leading trenchless construction experience, we delivered the Warkworth to Snells Transfer Pipeline for Watercare, continuing our strong relationship with them.

The project was part of Watercare's North-East Wastewater Servicing Scheme, which conveyed wastewater from Warkworth to Snells Beach. The scheme will cater for future growth and enable Watercare to decommission the existing Warkworth Wastewater Treatment Plant, which discharges into the Mahurangi River.

Fast Facts

  • 1.4 km long dual rising main
  • 3.6 km long single gravity sewer
  • 409 steel pipes, each 1219 mm in diameter and weighing 6.85 tonnes
  • Water NZ Project of the Year 2025
Warkworth to Snells Transfer Pipeline
Watercare Services Ltd Design and Construct Mahurangi East, Auckland

Snells Algies Wastewater Pipe & Outfall

Improving wastewater infrastructure while minimising disruption

Proposing a trenchless solution to minimise disruption, Watercare Services awarded us the Snells Algies wastewater pipe and outfall construction project. It resulted in new world record - a 2021 metre long Direct Pipe® drive delivered using a micro tunnel boring machine.

The project was the first phase of a three-phased scheme to improve water quality in the Mahurangi Harbour and cater for population growth in the Warkworth and Mahurangi East communities north of Auckland.

Fast Facts

  • 2021 m world record Direct Pipe® drive by MTBM
  • 4.3 km of 630 mm diameter HDPE pressure/gravity main installed in open trench
  • 2 km of 1.2 m diameter steel pipe installed using the Direct Pipe® system
  • 230 m outfall pipeline
  • 530 m of 710 mm diameter HDPE pipe using horizontal directional drilling (HDD)
  • 1220 mm OD steel pipe for the Direct Pipe®, 32 mm wall thickness
Snells Algies Wastewater Pipe & Outfall
Watercare Services Ltd Construct Queen Street, Auckland

Queen Street Wastewater Diversion Project

For the first time in New Zealand, a Direct Pipe® micro-Tunnel Boring Machine (mTBM) and traditional pipe jacking methods were used to install Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) pipes in a single drive.

We utilised two different tunnelling systems, doubling down on innovation to install a new pipeline for the Queen Street Wastewater Diversion Project in Auckland, New Zealand. On the project, we managed the tunnelling scope for lead contractor Fulton Hogan and client Watercare to construct a 570-metre-long wastewater pipeline in the city centre under Queen Street.

Fast Facts

  • a new 570-metre-long wastewater pipeline
  • 1229 mm diameter, 5.8 m long sections of Glass Reinforced Plastic Pipe (GRP)
  • Installed between three shafts, in a continuous drive
  • 353 m from Mayoral Drive to Wellesley Street
  • and 217 m from Wellesley to Victoria streets
  • up to 14 metres below Queen Street
Queen Street Wastewater Diversion Project
Gladstone Area Water Board Design & Construct Gladstone, Queensland

Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline

Improving long-term water security

We're delivering the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline (FGP) project for the Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) and the Queensland Government. The project, which will have the capacity to transport 30 gigalitres per annum, will enable long-term water security for urban and industrial customers in the region.

The FGP, which comprises an approximately 117 km long, 1 m diameter pipeline, a water treatment plant, reservoirs, and pumping stations, will also support the emerging hydrogen industry in the Gladstone region of Queensland. We have teamed up with BMD Constructions in a joint venture (the MBJV) to deliver the Project.

Fast Facts

  • 117 km long, 1 m diameter pipeline
  • New water treatment plant
  • Reservoirs and pumping stations
  • 21 trenchless crossings
  • $10 million First Nations spend
Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline
SA Water Design and construct framework agreement North of Adelaide, South Australia

SA Water Frameworks

Improving the reliability and capacity of South Australia's water supply

In joint venture with Diona (the Water North JV) we're one of three major framework partners delivering SA Water’s multi-billion dollar capital delivery program. The 'Frameworks' model fosters collaboration and innovation in the planning and delivery of water projects across metro and regional South Australia.

During the first four years (2020 - 24) our team delivered approximately 150 projects, including the design and construction of:

Fast Facts

  • Collaborative delivery program
  • Approximately 150 individual projects in first 4 years
  • 60,000 m of water pipelines
  • 2 earth bank storage projects
  • 2 distribution pump stations
  • 21 water tank remediation works (including concrete & structural remediation)
SA Water Frameworks
  Queensland State Government Alliance South East Queensland

Western Corridor Recycled Water Pipeline

In alliance, we delivered the Western Corridor Recycled Water Pipeline (WCRWP), the backbone of the largest advanced recycled water project in the southern hemisphere and third largest in the world.

The project was an integral component of the Queensland Government’s A$9 billion South East Queensland Water Grid, the largest urban drought response in Australia.

Fast Facts

  • 32 km long, 1500 mm dia. MSCL pipeline
  • 48.3 km long, 1000 mm dia. GRP pipeline
  • 60 km of small diameter pipelines
  • 2 No. 5 ML storage tanks
  • 7 No. pump stations
Western Corridor Recycled Water Pipeline
Water & Wastewater Solutions

Water & Wastewater Solutions

We understand what matters most to our water industry customers - uninterrupted supply, minimal disruption, safety, compliance, and positive community engagement.

We've been entrusted with the design and delivery of major metro desalination and water treatment plants, as well as the construction of dams and large-diameter pipeline and pump station networks.

We've delivered approximately $9 billion in new water assets over the last 15 years, including:


Westland Dairy Company Ltd Design & Construct Hokitika, Westland

Westland Milk Products Ocean Outfall

Delivering an ocean outfall to improve the water quality of Hokitika River

We completed the first-ever ocean outfall on the rugged west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, successfully dealing with extreme weather, avoiding dolphins and penguins, and managing the challenging marine environment. This landmark project has significantly improved water quality in the Hokitika River.

Westland Cooperative Dairy Company Ltd appointed us to design and construct the 844 m long ocean outfall pipeline to stop the discharge of treated wastewater from their facility into the River.

Fast Facts

  • 844 m outfall
  • 1,219 mm OD 20 mm thick steel carrier pipe
  • 844 m Direct Pipe® MTBM drive
  • 23 m below the seabed - max depth during tunnelling
  • Mass flow excavation used
  • Re-use of TBM and pontoon from the Army Bay and Snells Algies projects
Westland Milk Products Ocean Outfall
SA Water Construct only Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Eyre Peninsula Marine Works

We're delivering the Eyre Peninsula Desalination Plant Marine Works for SA Water.

This project plays a key role in supporting a more reliable and climate independent water supply for the Eyre Peninsula, reducing reliance on the Uley South Basin and preparing the region for future growth.

Fast Facts

  • Micro-tunnelled intake and outfall pipelines
  • Minor dredging
  • Installation of intake tower and outfall diffuser
Eyre Peninsula Marine Works
Sydney Water Alliance Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney Desalination Plant - Water Delivery Alliance

Complex subsea pipelaying to expand city's water network

In partnership with Sydney Water and others, we formed the Water Delivery Alliance and designed and delivered the new pipeline and pump station linking Sydney's new desalination plant at Kurnell to the city's water network at Erskineville.

While the desalination plant was delivered via a conventional lump-sum contract, Sydney Water selected an alliance for the pipeline due to the technical, community and environmental risks involved.

Fast Facts

  • 17 km of large diameter water pipeline
  • 7.5 km subsea pipeline crossing of Botany Bay
  • 6.4 km of micro-tunnelling
  • 19 shafts
  • 250 ML/day pump station
Sydney Desalination Plant - Water Delivery Alliance
Queenstown Lakes District Council Construct only Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand

Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

Improving environmental outcomes and facilitating future growth for communities

Protecting the environment and minimising disruption to existing operations were key to securing the second stage of the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade in picturesque Queenstown.

Our project was the third (and final stage) of Queenstown Lakes District Council’s 20-year-long programme to transition the plant from the traditional Biological and Aerated Pond Treatment processes to the more effective and efficient ‘Activated Sludge Treatment’ method.

Fast Facts

  • Reused 10,000 m3 of spoil in a temporary bund for land reclamation
  • Constructed 11,000 m3 engineered gravel raft
  • Safely repurposed 1100 dry tonnes of sludge
  • Built new 34 m diameter Clarifier
  • and 24 m x 80 m x 6.2 m MLE Reactor Tank
  • Decommission an oxidation pond
Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
Hutt City Council Design Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) Lower Hutt, Wellington

Major Stormwater & Wastewater Upgrades

Fast Facts

  • Investigations for new wastewater and stormwater facilities
  • to inform the design and the consent application
  • improve resilience and capacity
  • to unlock growth in Lower Hutt.
Major Stormwater & Wastewater Upgrades
Dunedin City Council Works panel Dunedin/Ōtepoti, New Zealand

Dunedin City Council

Sawyers Bay Renewals, Three Waters Framework Contract & Three Waters Renewals Programme

Through our local office, we've been working with Dunedin City Council to successfully deliver 'three waters' (wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water) upgrades.

As a member of the Council's works panel, we are one of a small number of organisations upgrading the city’s water and wastewater treatment plants through to 2031.

Fast Facts

  • $140 million of upgrades
  • 8 year long panel arrangement
  • 6 water treatment plants
  • 3 wastewater treatment plants
Dunedin City Council
Auckland Council Healthy Waters Construct only Greville Road, Pinehill, Auckland

Greville Road Stormwater Culvert Upgrade

Mobilising quickly for a flood emergency

We had an experienced tunnelling team ready to go, so we took on emergency work for Auckland Council Healthy Waters after major Auckland floods.

The Corban Reserve Stormwater Upgrade for Healthy Waters was still underway at the time of the flooding. Our team had just finished the 270 m long tunnelling drive at that job, so it was good timing and an easy transfer of skills, experience, materials, and equipment from the worksite out west to Greville Road for the Stormwater Culvert Upgrade.

Fast Facts

  • A new 2100 mm ID stormwater pipeline
  • installed using a slurry micro-tunnel boring machine
  • in two tunnelling drives, 220 m and 50 m
  • the inlet shaft, the main shaft and a receiving pit
  • and decommissioning the existing culvert
Greville Road Stormwater Culvert Upgrade
Unitywater Design & Construct Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Aura and Harmony Infrastructure Program

Improving water and wastewater infrastructure

On behalf of Unitywater, we're delivering critical new water and wastewater infrastructure to support growth on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The new pipelines, pump stations, and storage reservoirs will support the new Aura and Harmony communities in the Caloundra region.

For the Aura development (which will grow to 50,000 residents by 2050), we're delivering a new wastewater network that includes over 12 km of 900 mm diameter pipeline and one pump station. We're also delivering a new water supply network for this community, that includes over 12 km of 800 mm diameter pipeline connecting the Ewen Maddock Dam to a new 12 ML water reservoir.

Fast Facts

  • Large diameter (up to 900 mm) water and wastewater pipelines
  • 12 ML storage reservoirs
  • Pump stations
  • Open and trenchless pipeline construction techniques
Aura and Harmony Infrastructure Program
Sydney Water Design & Construct Sydney, New South Wales

Ryde to Pymble Pipeline Upgrade

Strengthening Sydney’s water network

In a joint venture with Gamuda Australia, we have been awarded Sydney Water’s Ryde to Pymble pipeline upgrade project.

The project involves the design and construction of approximately 11 km of DN900 watermain from Ryde Pump Station to Wahroonga Reservoir, reinstating a critical watermain first built in 1936.

Fast Facts

  • New DN900 watermain
  • 10.2 km trenched construction
  • 800 m trenchless crossing under national park
Ryde to Pymble Pipeline Upgrade
Pipelines

Pipelines

We've delivered over 20,000 km of new pipe networks. 

McConnell Dowell is a leading international pipeline contractor. We have constructed over 20,000 km of new pipe networks across more than 200 projects including gas, petroleum, water and slurry pipelines. These pipelines help drive economic and social progress across Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia.

We are experts in large diameter pipeline construction and have delivered gas pipelines up to 1300 mm (50”) in diameter and water pipelines up to 1800 mm (70”) in diameter. Our in-house specialist skills and plant enable execution of HDD, micro-tunnelling, marine pipe pulls, pipe bridges and other complex crossing solutions.

  APA Group Construct Only Leinster, Western Australia

Agnew Gas Pipeline

After extensive pre-planning and a fast mobilisation, we constructed the Agnew Gas Pipeline Project for APA Group in the south-southwest of Western Australia. The new pipeline supplies gas to the Agnew gold mine site to supplement the mine’s renewables-fuelled power supply.

Our scope consisted of the construction of a 25 km long, DN150 mm, dual layer FBE coated, AS2885 compliant, high pressure natural gas pipeline, along with the tie-ins to the swan necks at the above ground Kyarra Offtake Station and the Agnew Delivery Station.

Fast Facts

  • 25 km long, 150 mm diameter gas pipeline
  • Multiple horizontal directional drills (HDDs) under roads
  • Fast mobilisation
  • Computerised radiography used
Agnew Gas Pipeline
Australia Pacific LNG EPC Gladstone, Queensland

APLNG Pipeline

Following successful completion of an Early Works contract for the APLNG project, MCJV, a joint venture between ourselves and Consolidated Contracting Company Australia Pty Ltd, was awarded an EPC contract for delivery of 360 km of the main export pipeline, a 57 km lateral pipeline, and associated facilties.

The overall APLNG project included the development of substantial coal seam gas resources in the Surat and Bowen Basins. The key elements of the project were the transmission pipeline, subsea crossing (Narrows Crossing) and a multi-train LNG facility on Curtis Island, near Gladstone.

Fast Facts

  • 360 km, 42" mainline pipeline
  • 57 km, 36" lateral pipeline
  • Launcher station at Condabri
  • Pipeline hub
  • Midline scraper station
  • 4 mainline valve stations
APLNG Pipeline
APA Group Construct Only Lenora, Western Australia

Murrin Murrin Gas Pipeline Looping

We constructed the Murrin Murrin Looping Project for APA Group, east of Lenora in Western Australia. The objective of the project was to increase the capacity of the Murrin Murrin Lateral to enable APA to service future downstream customers.

Our scope consisted of the construction of a 13.8 km long, 200 mm diameter high pressure gas pipeline, along with the tie-ins to an existing above-ground offtake station. The pipeline runs from a connection off the existing Murrin Murrin Lateral.

Fast Facts

  • 13.8 km, 200 mm diameter gas pipeline
  • Zero Lost Time Injuries
  • Practical completion acheived 3 days early
Murrin Murrin Gas Pipeline Looping
APA Group Construct Only Western Australia

Lake Way and Karlawinda Gas Pipelines

We constructed the Lake Way Gas Pipeline (LWP) and the Karlawinda Gas Pipeline (KGP) projects for APA Group in Western Australia.

The LWP pipeline is located 15 kilometres south of Wiluna and transports natural gas from APA’s Goldfields Gas Pipeline (GGP) to SO4’s Lake Way facility. SO4 aims to become a major exporter of Sulphate of Potash and the LWP pipeline provides gas for fuelling power generating facilities and other equipment within their process plant.

Fast Facts

  • Two high pressure gas pipeline projects
  • 26 km of DN100 gas pipeline
  • 56 km of DN100 gas pipeline
Lake Way and Karlawinda Gas Pipelines

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Summary

Thank you for taking an interest in McConnell Dowell. More information is available on our websiteincluding additional project profiles and case studies.

Contacts

Mick  Slocombe

Mick Slocombe

GM SA & WA

M: +61 (0)476 142 023

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Claire Tanner

Claire Tanner

Pre-Contracts Manager SA & WA

M: +61 (0)418 645 297

LinkedIn