Project to improve Auckland City’s waterways and beaches receives recognition

Clear Harbour Alliance, a jointly funded project by Metrowater and Auckland City Council was recognised as a Highly Commended Team of Excellence in a Project Alliance at last week’s Alliance Team of Excellence Awards in Melbourne.

Alliancing Association of Australia Executive Director Alain Mignot said that the quality of winners in this years' awards was outstanding. "The recipients all represent the best in a very dynamic infrastructure environment where outstanding outcomes are expected," Mr Mignot said.

The $50 million sewer separation project in Kingsland and Eden Terrace will help improve water quality at Auckland City beaches and in harbour waterways by reducing the amount of polluted water overflowing every year into the Waitemata harbour around the Western bays.

Auckland City Councillor Cathy Casey congratulated Metrowater and the Alliance team for their achievement and highlighted that the real winners are the community.

“Clear Harbour Alliance is on track to deliver what was a challenging project well within budget, six months ahead of time and with minimal inconvenience to the community.”

“That outcome is tribute to both the Alliance team performance and also the foresight of Metrowater and Auckland City Council in establishing an Alliance to achieve rapid improvement in reducing sewage overflows from entering our waterways.”

In making the award, the judges looked for clear examples of how a team has demonstrated exceptional levels of unity and integrity to deliver results to the client that are above expectations. The fact that the Clear Harbour Alliance team has been able to deliver 5% more work than originally scoped, at a cost below budget, and in a timeframe 6 months ahead of schedule, shows how successful they have been. The fact that the project, which has the potential to be so intrusive and disruptive within the local community, has received a high degree of positive feedback from customers also reflects very favourably on the Clear Harbour Alliance. This is evidenced by the fact they have received at least two customer bouquets (pieces of positive feedback) for every complaint, a ratio which is far better than one would normally expect.

Metrowater Chief Executive, Tim Hammond says this project is part of a 20-year investment programme by Metrowater and Auckland City Council to modernise the city’s aging combined drainage systems and to support future population and economic growth.

“As the city continues to grow, we need to consider the future sustainability of our water and wastewater services. This is a vital investment in reducing Auckland City’s environmental footprint.”

The Clear Harbour Alliance was formed in June 2007 by Metrowater, engineering companies GHD, Opus International Consultants and contractor Downer EDI Works to more effectively share resources and increase innovation within the three-year capital works project.

ENDS

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