Infrastructure rebuild underway
The rebuild of earthquake-damaged infrastructure took a step forward today with the signing of an interim agreement between key partners.
The Council will be responsible for the Central City Plan.
An Alliance will be formed between the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), Christchurch City Council, and contractors Fulton Hogan, Fletcher, McConnell Dowell, Downer and City Care for the rebuild of the city’s earthquake-damaged infrastructure.
The interim agreement signed today will progress the planning for the rebuild of city roads, sewerage, water supply pipes and parks damaged in recent earthquakes. The agreement was signed by CERA Chief Executive John Ombler, NZTA Regional Director Southern Jim Harland, Council Chief Executive Tony Marryatt, Downer Chief Executive Cos Bryun, Fulton Hogan Chief Executive Bill Perry, City Care Chief Executive Onno Mulder, Fletcher Construction General Manager Engineering Graham Darlow, and McConnell Dowell Chief Executive Roger McRae.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says the signing of the interim agreement marks an important milestone in the rebuilding of our city’s earthquake-damaged infrastructure.
“We have a lot of work to do to rebuild our city, and I am pleased to see the progress we are making. Alliance partnerships are a proven way of delivering the best results on major infrastructure projects and I am heartened to know we will be working with experienced contractors who know our city so we can achieve the best outcome.
“By working closely together we can ensure the work is carried out efficiently and effectively. We are very aware that residents will want to know details about the work and when it will be carried out, and we will be keeping them informed as planning progresses,” Mr Parker says.
Council General Manager Capital Programme Kevin Locke says staff worked with NZTA to determine how best to deliver the large-scale rebuild of city infrastructure. Mr Locke says everything points to an Alliance as being the best way forward
“It means that all organisations involved commit to working closely together to achieve the best outcome for the city – it has been demonstrated that this way of working brings innovation and value for money to projects. Where the model has been used by NZTA elsewhere in New Zealand, it has resulted in opportunities for innovation, reduced start-up times and the completion of projects ahead of schedule,” he says. “For example, in Auckland the Manakau Harbour Crossing was delivered nearly 12 months ahead of schedule and under budget.”
Mr Locke says the contractors involved were appointed following the 4 September 2010 earthquake because they had a proven track record of working on Council projects, understood the city and its infrastructure and had the project and construction management capability to manage large-scale contract works. They have all been working since 22 February on emergency repairs.
“We will also be working closely with CERA and other agencies to align our planning with other earthquake recovery efforts in the city to ensure an effective, timely and coordinated rebuilding and recovery effort for Christchurch.”
Background – the Alliance model
Alliances are a form of collaboration between a client, consultant and contractor who mutually agree to undertake the work to target levels of quality, cost and time. Additional rewards/sanctions are put in place should performance exceed/fail to meet the targets. This leads to a high degree of trust between the parties and a focus on performing to the highest expectations
NZTA Alliances formed on large-scale projects to date have all been successful. The most recently completed Alliance, the Manukau Harbour Crossing, was delivered nearly 12 months ahead of schedule and under budget.