Capability Statement
Prepared for Prepared for Water Corporation
May 2026
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..
Purpose & Values (typically use 2nd or 3rd)
We are a Purpose and Values driven organisation. These define what's important to us, guide our decision making and unite us behind a common goal.
Our Purpose is Providing a Better Life.
We do that through delivering projects that connect, sustain and enhance communities, and through providing career opportunities that challenge, reward and grow our people.
We also have five company values that guide our behaviours and decisions. Our values are:
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.
Reconciliation Action Plan
McConnell Dowell is committed to reconciliation in Australia
Our vision is for the construction industry and the communities in which we work to develop stronger and deeper relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples for the benefit of all Australians.
Together, we strive to achieve a shared future that is inclusive and equitable for all Australians.
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.
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.
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 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)
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
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
Western Sydney Recycled Water Scheme
Delivery of one of Australia's largest water recycling plants
As part of the Deerubbin WaterFutures Consortium, we designed and constructed of one of the largest water recycling plants in Australia. The St Marys Advanced Water Treatment Plant provides environmental flows to the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system and highly treated recycled water for industry and new homes in Sydney’s booming western suburbs.
The consortium included United Group Infrastructure, GE Water and Process Technologies, and ourselves.
Fast Facts
- 50 ML/day advanced water treatment plant
- 3696 reverse osmosis membrane filters
- 52 km of water pipelines, up to 600 mm dia.
- 7 pump stations
Hume Dam Upgrade
Improving flood safety performance
We improved the safety and performance of one of the largest dams in the Southern Hemisphere for the NSW state government. They selected us based on the quality of our technical solution, our approach to protecting the sensitive river environment, and our strategies for minimising impacts on the nearby tourist park.
We secured the project after an extensive pre-qualification and competative early tender involvement (ETI) process.
Fast Facts
- 9 m deep temporary sheetpile cofferdam
- 20,000 m3 of mass concrete placed
- 92 piles installed to a depth of 16 metres
- 400 m from tourist park
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 - Transfer Pipeline
Strengthening Adelaide's water infrastructure
In a joint venture with our building company, Built Environs, we designed, constructed, and commissioned the water pipeline and associated pumping infrastructure that connects the Adelaide Desalination Plant, (also delivered by us in consortia), to Adelaide’s main reservoir at Happy Valley.
We were awarded the project following an extensive early contractor involvement (ECI) process, including a rigorous assessment of our proposed design, construction methodology, and costs.
Fast Facts
- 12 km of 1.5 m diameter pipeline
- 150 ML/day transfer pump station
- 9 ML, 44 m diameter, 6m high break pressure tank
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
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.
Saving 75 per cent construction time with pre-cast water tanks
We collaborated with SA Water and subcontractor Concept Environmental Services (Concept) to construct a 10-megalitre water storage solution in Port Lincoln, on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Remarkably, the project was completed in just 25% of the time typically required for a traditional water tank.
This rapid and efficient delivery was crucial for maintaining a reliable drinking water supply in the region ahead of a hot South Australian summer.
The Concept design utilised a tilt-up method with six-metre tall pre-cast concrete panels that were manufactured off site, allowing for extensive quality assurance testing on each panel. The panels were then transported to site and craned into place, in a process that is significantly quicker and safer for workers compared to cast-in-situ construction.
SA Water established the 'Water Frameworks' model to create a high performing collaborative environment, enabling each major framework partner to work closely with SA Water, and each other, to continuously improve the planning, management and delivery of water infrastructure projects across South Australia.
Introducing the 'Solarator'
In partnership with Australian OEM, Black Stump Technologies, we have co-created the 'Solarator', a compact containerised power plant that combines solar panels, batteries and a small diesel generator.
Now being used on our project sites across Australia, the Solarators are scaleable in output and can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90% for our off-grid site facilities. Over a 10-year period the units will save over 8000 tonnes of carbon on our work sites.
The Solarators are available in a number of configurations, including ‘accordion style’ (where the panels unfold on frames) and solar-only (i.e. no diesel generator). The solar-only units can result in a carbon positive project site, with unused energy being exported to the grid.
In addition to their sustainability benefits, Solarators are quiet, low maintenance, compact, transportable and 'plug and play' in their set up.
You can't get many more wins than that!
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.
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="
"} 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.
Social
We consider the 'Social' aspect of ESG to encompass everything related to people.
That's from ensuring everyone goes Home Without Harm, to making a positive and meaningful impact on the well-being and prosperity of our employees, stakeholders, and the communities we engage with. This focus aligns seamlessly with our purpose of 'Providing a Better Life'.
Our commitment begins with our rigorous safety management system and extends to maximising local employment and supply opportunities, as well as delivering needs-based community support and uplift initiatives through our projects.
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=""} 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.
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Summary
Thank you for taking an interest in McConnell Dowell's skills, capabilities and approach. Additional information is available on our website, including additional project case studies.
Contact us through the link(s) below for advice or assistance with your project.