Published Wednesday, 06 June, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Search narrows for private partner to build Qld’s biggest transport projects
6 June 2007
The Queensland Government has narrowed its search for a private sector partner to jointly deliver two of the biggest transport projects ever planned in Queensland.
Three of the four groups that had expressed interest in delivering the proposed Airport Link underground toll road and the Windsor to Kedron section of the proposed Northern Busway, were today short-listed to proceed to the bidding phase.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said the high-quality and competitive response to the State Government’s call for a private sector partner made the short-listing process difficult.
“These four groups were all of a very high calibre and it was very hard to separate them,” Ms Bligh said.
“While it was very pleasing to have such red-hot competition, unfortunately, we had to narrow the field.
“We did this through a very thorough short-listing process that looked at a range of factors, including technical capability, financial capacity and experience.
“This means we now have three top-quality groups bidding to deliver two leading-edge transport projects that will benefit the people of Brisbane for years to come.”
The three groups short-listed were: BrisConnections, NorthConnect Motorway Pty Ltd and Northern Motorway Pty Ltd.
Private sector companies were invited to submit Expressions of Interest in the projects in late February 2007. Companies were asked to outline their technical capability and financial capacity to deliver the projects.
The projects can now move into the bidding phase, subject to the outcome of the evaluation of the Airport Link Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Northern Busway Concept Design and Impact Management Plan (CDIMP).
During the bidding phase, the short-listed groups would be asked to outline how they would finance, design, construct, commission, operate and maintain Airport Link. They would also be asked to include in their proposals how they would design, construct and commission the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron), which would be financed, operated and maintained by the State Government.
Ms Bligh said she was looking forward to some very competitive bids.
“These groups are comprised of some of the world’s most experienced construction companies and financiers and they know they will have to submit competitive and innovative proposals to win the job,” she said.
“So not only will we get a great transport solution for Brisbane’s northern suburbs but also real value for money for Queensland taxpayers.“
Construction of the projects would likely begin in late 2008 and be completed in 2012.
Airport Link and the Northern Busway are two of the largest infrastructure projects planned in the first phase of the State Government’s South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program.
BrisConnections
BrisConnections comprises Macquarie Bank, Thiess and John Holland. Members of the consortium have been involved in Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel and Melbourne’s EastLink motorway as well as the Boggo Road Busway, Eleanor Schonell Bridge and Trackstar rail projects in Queensland.
NorthConnect Motorway Pty Ltd
The NorthConnect Motorway consortium comprises Baulderstone Hornibrook, Abigroup Limited, Bilfinger Berger Civil and Babcock & Brown. Other participants include Bilfinger Berger Services Australia, Hyder-SMEC JV, Coffey Geotechnics and Hassell.
NorthConnect members have been or are currently involved in the procurement, delivery and operation of major Queensland transport projects such as the North-South Bypass Tunnel, Gateway Upgrade Project and Tugun Bypass. NorthConnect’s other major project experience includes Sydney’s M2, M5 East and M7 motorways, Sydney’s Cross City Tunnel, the NSW RailCorp Rollingstock PPP and the Liverpool-Parramatta Transitway.
Northern Motorway
The Northern Motorway consortium is jointly owned by Leighton Contractors and ABN AMRO Australia. Both are currently involved in the delivery of several PPP/infrastructure projects in South East Queensland, including Brisbane’s North-South Bypass Tunnel, Gateway Upgrade Project and Southbank TAFE redevelopment.
Other members of the consortium include Kumagai Gumi, Maunsell, GHD, EDAW, Woods Bagot and Golder Associates.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900
The Queensland Government has narrowed its search for a private sector partner to jointly deliver two of the biggest transport projects ever planned in Queensland.
Three of the four groups that had expressed interest in delivering the proposed Airport Link underground toll road and the Windsor to Kedron section of the proposed Northern Busway, were today short-listed to proceed to the bidding phase.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said the high-quality and competitive response to the State Government’s call for a private sector partner made the short-listing process difficult.
“These four groups were all of a very high calibre and it was very hard to separate them,” Ms Bligh said.
“While it was very pleasing to have such red-hot competition, unfortunately, we had to narrow the field.
“We did this through a very thorough short-listing process that looked at a range of factors, including technical capability, financial capacity and experience.
“This means we now have three top-quality groups bidding to deliver two leading-edge transport projects that will benefit the people of Brisbane for years to come.”
The three groups short-listed were: BrisConnections, NorthConnect Motorway Pty Ltd and Northern Motorway Pty Ltd.
Private sector companies were invited to submit Expressions of Interest in the projects in late February 2007. Companies were asked to outline their technical capability and financial capacity to deliver the projects.
The projects can now move into the bidding phase, subject to the outcome of the evaluation of the Airport Link Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Northern Busway Concept Design and Impact Management Plan (CDIMP).
During the bidding phase, the short-listed groups would be asked to outline how they would finance, design, construct, commission, operate and maintain Airport Link. They would also be asked to include in their proposals how they would design, construct and commission the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron), which would be financed, operated and maintained by the State Government.
Ms Bligh said she was looking forward to some very competitive bids.
“These groups are comprised of some of the world’s most experienced construction companies and financiers and they know they will have to submit competitive and innovative proposals to win the job,” she said.
“So not only will we get a great transport solution for Brisbane’s northern suburbs but also real value for money for Queensland taxpayers.“
Construction of the projects would likely begin in late 2008 and be completed in 2012.
Airport Link and the Northern Busway are two of the largest infrastructure projects planned in the first phase of the State Government’s South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program.
BrisConnections
BrisConnections comprises Macquarie Bank, Thiess and John Holland. Members of the consortium have been involved in Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel and Melbourne’s EastLink motorway as well as the Boggo Road Busway, Eleanor Schonell Bridge and Trackstar rail projects in Queensland.
NorthConnect Motorway Pty Ltd
The NorthConnect Motorway consortium comprises Baulderstone Hornibrook, Abigroup Limited, Bilfinger Berger Civil and Babcock & Brown. Other participants include Bilfinger Berger Services Australia, Hyder-SMEC JV, Coffey Geotechnics and Hassell.
NorthConnect members have been or are currently involved in the procurement, delivery and operation of major Queensland transport projects such as the North-South Bypass Tunnel, Gateway Upgrade Project and Tugun Bypass. NorthConnect’s other major project experience includes Sydney’s M2, M5 East and M7 motorways, Sydney’s Cross City Tunnel, the NSW RailCorp Rollingstock PPP and the Liverpool-Parramatta Transitway.
Northern Motorway
The Northern Motorway consortium is jointly owned by Leighton Contractors and ABN AMRO Australia. Both are currently involved in the delivery of several PPP/infrastructure projects in South East Queensland, including Brisbane’s North-South Bypass Tunnel, Gateway Upgrade Project and Southbank TAFE redevelopment.
Other members of the consortium include Kumagai Gumi, Maunsell, GHD, EDAW, Woods Bagot and Golder Associates.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900