Capability Statement
Prepared for Water and Wastewater
May 2026
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)
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.
H2030 Strategy
Centred on our engineering heritage and ‘Creative Construction’ value proposition, our Horizon 2030 strategy provides the framework and roadmap for our longer-term market positioning and investment.
The strategy responds to the major trends impacting the world and our industry, both today and into the future. These include climate change, water security, urbanisation, defence self-reliance, and energy transition.
It is enabled by a three-tiered capability platform, as shown in the diagram below...
Org chart - Australia
Our Australian Business Unit is led by an experienced group of professionals who are empowered to drive performance excellence across all our Australian operations and projects.
Our 'Win & Deliver' teams are accountable for the full lifecycle of our constructon business, including prospecting for opportunities, working with potential customers to add value in the project development phase, through to bidding for projects and delivering them.
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.
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
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
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)
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
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
City Rail Link Contract 2 - enabling works
Utility works associated with a major inner-city transport project
We were half of the Connectus joint venture, responsible for tunnelling works and relocating, protecting or decommissioning around 250 underground services in the hearth of Auckland CBD. Procured under an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) model, the highly complex contract was an early works package for the NZ$4.4 billion City Rail Link (CRL) project.
Our works comprised two separable portions: SP1: 350 m of cut and cover tunnels under Albert Street between Customs Street and Wyndham Street, as well as re-instating the streetscape on completion. SP2: Pipejacking 516 m of new stormwater main along the eastern side of Albert Street, between Swanson Street and Wellesley Street, and strengthening a 40m length of the Orakei Main Sewer beneath Victoria Street
Fast Facts
- 350m trench in Albert St, 18m deep and 13m wide
- 4 shafts for the pipe-jacking works
- 362 reinforced concrete piles
- 250 services
- 2 tunnel boring machines (SP2 works)
- Live traffic maintained around and over the top of the trench throughout.
Christchurch Major Sewer Upgrade
Constructing reliable and resilient sewer lines in Christchurch
We upgraded Christchurch's main sewer, dealing with a major earthquake mid-project. The award of the project followed our successful completion of the record breaking Christchurch Ocean Outfall project for Christchurch City Council.
Our work involved 4 km of tunnelling for a 1,350 mm diameter gravity sewer, and trenched excavation of 2 km for a pumped sewer line between 450 mm and 1,050 mm diameter. We also did some pipe-jacking under rail, low covers and from road surfaces to pipe crown.
Fast Facts
- 4 km long 1350 mm dia. gravity sewer
- 2 km long, b/w 450 and 1050 mm dia. pumped sewer
- 11 No. jacking and reception shafts up to 7 m deep
- 38 No. manholes from 1500 mm to 3000 mm dia. up to 6 m deep
- pump station
- service relocations
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
Barber Grove to Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant Pipe Duplication
Future proofing and improving water quality
We used the optimum mix of tunnelling and trenched construction techniques to deliver the Barber Grove to Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant Pipe Duplication Project for Wellington Water, causing the least impact possible.
The project involved the installation of a new 1.2 km long, 1 m diameter pressurised wastewater pipeline. It services 90% of the residents in Hutt Valley, improving water quality and catering to the region’s growth.
Fast Facts
- 1.2 km long, 1 m dia. pressurised wastewater pipeline installed up 9 m deep
- 55% of the alignment installed using micro-tunnelling
- 4 No. shafts for access tunnel
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.
Digital Engineering
We take a ‘Digital First’ approach to all our projects, equipping our teams with the latest digital tools and systems from the design stage forward.
This helps them identify and address potential issues at the earliest stages of project development, effectively eliminating issues at their genesis leading to lower costs and delays once we start on site.
On site, we use digital tools like drones for surveying, and GPS tracked plant to monitor and improve safety and efficiency.
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="
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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.
NSW & ACT Intro (typically use 4th to 8th)
Since completing our first project in Sydney in the 1970s, we've delivered a diverse range of projects throughout New South Wales and the ACT.
Urban projects have included construction of two new recreational wharves at Kamay (Botany Bay); the design and installation of complex subsea pipelines for the Sydney Desalination Plant; the transformation of Penrith's CBD through the Mulgoa Road upgrade; and the refurbushment of the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the iconic Circular Quay.
Regionally, the company has constructed a new LNG gas import terminal and a tug boat facility at Port Kembla in Wollongong; upgraded the Hume Dam in Albury; duplicated the Pacific Highway between Kempsey and Kundabung; and supported ARTC with track upgrades in the Hunter Valley.
Closing Text - General with contacts, no video
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.
Contacts
Toby Herniman
Pre-Contracts Manager - NSW & ACT
M: +61 478 946 769
toby.herniman@mcdgroup.com LinkedIn