Capability Statement
Prepared for SA Water
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..
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.
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:
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
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.
Ports of Auckland Outfall Upgrade
Improving Auckland's stormwater network and overall infrastructure resilience
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
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
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)
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.
Closing text - with contacts and 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) at the bottom for advice or assistance with your project.
Contacts
