Capability Statement
Prepared for MCD SRG Potential Opportunities
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.
Specialist marine plant
Elevate your marine construction potential
As a leading marine contractor, we bring deep expertise and a legacy of inventive construction to every project. Our fleet of specialist marine plant - including jack-up barges, support vessels, and our custom-designed ‘traveller’ piling system - reflects our commitment to smarter, safer, and more sustainable delivery.
Our equipment is also available for short, medium, or long-term hire. Explore the profiles below to see how our assets can support your next marine challenge.
Swanson Dock West remediation
We recently completed Stage 1 of the Swanson Dock West Remediation, and are now delivering Stage 2. This is our sixth project for Port of Melbourne since 2017.
Swanson Dock West (SDW) is a critical International Container Terminal comprising of a 944 m wharf with three container-handling berths, which were constructed in several stages between the 1960s and 1980s. The existing wharf is of varying forms of construction and some sections are close to or beyond the typical design life of 30 years. As a result, major remediation was needed.
Fast Facts
- A three-staged wharf remediation project
- McConnell Dowell's sixth project for this customer since 2017
- Works programmed around operational wharf
CUF Marine Development Works
Supporting Australia's shipbuilding capacity
Fast Facts
- Construction of 80 - 100 m land backed wharf
- 40,000 m3 of dredging
- Berth kiosk services, including water and eletrical supplies
FMG Berths 1-4
At the height of the Australian resources boom (2004-2014), we became the marine partner of choice for Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), as they developed the infrastructure to support their new iron ore export business.
Fast Facts
- 4 major wharves completed over 5 years
- Berth 1: 270 m wharf, 100 m approach jetty, load-out conveyor
- Berth 2: 400 m wharf and extension to load-out conveyor
- Berth 3: 375 m wharf, duplicate load-out system
- Berth 4: 415 m wharf, elevated conveyor system
Civil
Our multi-disciplinary experience encompasses every type of civil construction, including bulk earthworks, foundations, hardstands, precast concrete, piling, roads, runways, and bridges.
Our ability to solve technical challenges creatively, means we find ways of delivering complex civil structures with minimal disruption to the community and our customers' operations.
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
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
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.
Cantilever traveller - innovative temporary works
Our 'Canti-Traveller' is a purpose-built temporary mobile platform that facilitates fast, safe, low-impact construction of piled marine jetties and piers.
The innovative system, designed and fabricated by our in-house team, provides a platform for progressively installing new piles, propelling itself along the new jetty alignment using hydraulics.
A piling gate fixed to the front of the Traveller allows pitching and driving of piles in a vertical position. If required it can be used to install raking piles using the gate’s hydraulics. The piling gate also provides a working platform for cutting piles and welding headstocks. Bent spacing can extend to 27 m, and it has a system for changing direction. The traveller supports a 450 tonne crawler crane, if required.
One of the primary advantages of the Canti-Traveller is its minimal ecological impact, not touching the earth except for the permanent piles it both drives and sits atop. Removing the need for marine-borne plant, it also operates independently of marine conditions, offering significant program and cost certainty. This makes the Canti-traveller particularly effective in design and construct projects where the program can be optimized for maximum efficiency.
We have a proven track record of successful installations in environmentally sensitive areas and a reputation for delivering safe, efficient, marine solutions for our customers. The Canti-Traveller reinforces our leadership in marine innovation and construction.
Click on the video to see the Canti-Traveller in action (Hint: It's yellow!). Click here for a more detailed specification.
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.
SA Intro (typically use 4th to 8th)
We completed our first project in South Australia over 40 years ago, and have since built a reputation for safety, quality and collaboration.
We've delivered numerous high profile and complex road and rail bridge projects, along with a number of general civil, water, pipeline and marine infrastructure projects. Highlights include the Adelaide desalination plant and pipeline, Riverbank Precinct Bridge, O-Bahn City Access Project, Seaford Rail Extension, Regency Road to Pym Street Upgrade, and the recently completed Ovingham Level Crossing Removal.
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
