McConnell Dowell

CATEGORY 2: Projects with a value between $1 million and $10 million

Collaboration critical

After more than eight decades in operation, the iconic Waitaki Dam in North Otago was in need of repairs. McConnell Dowell won the contract for an important part of the remedial work. Meridian Energy planned a four-year refurbishment project to repair the gradual embankment erosion of the Waitaki Dam in North Otago. The Waitaki Dam and 90MW Power Station is located in the Waitaki Valley, eight kilometres upstream from the township of Kurow in North Otago. Meridian’s multimillion-dollar refurbishment programme included repairing 80 years of gradual erosion of embankments and

CATEGORY seismic and flood protection work around CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 WINNER 2 CATEGORY 2 the site. In 2013, Meridian Energy awarded McConnell Dowell the design and construct contract for the Waitaki Erosion Remediation project. These remediation works were an important component to refurbish the power station and dam. McConnell Dowell, with URS (now AECOM) as designer, started work on the $4.05 million project in April 2014 and completed it in October 2015.

“We had to meet stringent water quality requirements when working in the river. Flows through the power station, over the spillway, or through other openings could not be reduced to assist the works and had to be taken into account in the planning, costing and implementation of the works,” says McConnell Dowell.

The project was contracted under a collaborative contracting model. Downer says partnering charters were considered, but not deemed necessary as relationships were open, honest and considerate of all partners.

“A clear testament to the collaborative approach was demonstrated with no disputes or disagreement reported.”

The result, says McConnell Dowell, has provided Meridian with a long-lasting design solution while mitigating numerous safety and environmental risks, and saved the client half the original budget.

Meridian agrees and says, “The work was executed to a very high standard and the finished products are excellent.” l