Build Better Together

Unitywater’s Capital Works Program typically includes infrastructure projects such as:

• Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)
• Network for sewage collection
• Network for water distribution and reticulation.

The primary engineering, design and construction activities cover water and sewage across the following disciplines: civil, structural, process, mechanical and electrical, typically undertaking pipeline installation and renewals, pump stations, treatment plants, reservoirs, metering, and electrical works.

There will be multiple packages of work and multiple supply partners.

We expect to award contracts to Build Better Together suppliers in Q3-Q4 2023.

It is intended that existing contracts will continue while we establish the Build Better Together frameworks and programs of works. Existing suppliers will be consulted through the further model development process and input sought to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of works services as Build Better Together is implemented.

Unitywater will work collaboratively with its Partners to develop and refine the long-term capital works program and provide greater certainty of the forward pipeline. The method of work allocation to programs and partners, along with any proposed works guarantee will be developed through collaboration with industry prior to contract execution and will take on board feedback and lessons learned.

Build Better Together recognises that organisations of all sizes are integral to Unitywater's ecosystem and that these relationships are fundamental to the successful delivery of the capital works delivery program.

Unitywater has adopted the principle that risk should be allocated to the party best able to manage it and this will inform the development of the exact risk approach applied. 

Through Build Better Together, Unitywater is seeking to establish a Capital Works Delivery Model that aligns us and our partners to achieve our organisational outcomes. Value for money will be measured through our partners ability to deliver effectively and efficiently in line with our program outcomes, including contributing to innovation initiatives, wider sustainability and organisational goals, and collaborative behavioural principles while engaging with Unitywater. An appropriate framework is being developed to clearly indicate the approach to achieving and maintaining Value for Money.

Unitywater understands that there are significant benefits to be gained by improving integration across the project life cycle.

Our aspiration is that Build Better Together is founded on integrated program delivery teams made up of people from Unitywater and our partners, with a focus across the lifecycle of our assets.

Operations and maintenance: Core Unitywater operations and maintenance activities are not included in the scope of Build Better Together. 

Planning: Planning services will be included as part of the Professional Services Partner scope.

Unitywater intends to implement longer term contractual arrangements (five+ years) to enable industry to invest and deliver program efficiencies

There will be multiple packages of work and partners.  The first component of the transaction process was an EOI for Professional Services and Program Partners (completed in December 2022), which contained information around indicative package size.

The primary engineering, planning, design, and construction activities for water, recycled water, and sewerage networks, as well as sewage treatment plants. This will include supply of materials, parts, labour, equipment, and incidentals to deliver the capital works program and encompass the following disciplines:

• civil
• structural
• process
• mechanical and electrical.

We are reviewing opportunities for the renewal of existing arrangements inclusive of BBT participation clauses for our existing specialist services suppliers.

Our aim is to leverage existing arrangements and we will approach our suppliers in the coming months.