A path through a Significant Ecological Area, a port completed seven months ahead of time, disaster recovery efforts and time-sensitive transport projects were amongst the winners in the 44th Civil Contractors New Zealand Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards.
Held in front of a capacity crowd at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on 1 September as part of The Civil Contractors Conference, the awards celebrated the best of New Zealand’s civil infrastructure construction industry.
The top category award for projects over $100m went to HEB Constrution’s project to construct the new Te Whiti Wharf 6 for Port Napier, which is the largest wharf built in the country in decades, at 390 metres long and 34 metres wide.
This project was built to accommodate larger cargo and cruise ships. Incredibly, it was completed under budget and seven months ahead of schedule. It featured construction of a 1.1-metre-thick deck supported by over 400 piles installed to an astounding depth of 45 metres. Revetment works involved importing and placing 50,000 tonnes of rock and installing 4,500 custom made blocks weighing up to 18 tonnes.
The judges congratulated HEB Construction, noting that constructing this complex and innovative project with an excellent level of stakeholder engagement and highly technical construction methodology in a very challenging, resource constrained and uncertain time was quite remarkable.
Isaac Construction’s work a time-critical rail crossing renewal project for KiwiRail in Christchurch won the Category 1 award for best project with a value of up to $2 million. The project required a huge amount of planning, as it had to be completed in the 77-hour line closure timeframe. An innovative Interflow project to install a 1.1km sewer pipe liner under Nelson’s Waimea Inlet was also highly commended by the judges in Category 1.
Waikato’s Connell Contractors took out first place in Category 2 for projects with a value of between $2m and $5m for the Poutu Intake and Tunnel Erosion Repair Works. This project to restore the 2.7km tunnel that takes water from the Tongariro River to the Tokaanu Power Station remedied significant damage, restoring the 50-year-old tunnel to operation.
Fulton Hogan won Category 3 for projects with a value between $5m and $20m for a State Highway 6 road restoration conducted on an incredible schedule of 48 days, restoring the vital transport connection between Nelson and Blenheim to operation, also winning Category 6 for excellence in maintenance and operations for fulfilling the Hastings District Council rural road maintenance contract with excellence at a time when the network was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Oxcon CLL was the winner of Category 4 for projects with a value between $20m and $100m with the Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai – Shared Path of land and Sea, which connects Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the Waitemata Harbour’s southern shore. The project was recognised by the judges for environmental excellence in a significant ecological area that bordered on a coastal marine environment, delivered on time and below budget.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard said this year’s projects showed what was possible when projects were well planned and civil contractors were commissioned with a focus on collaboration and delivering value.
These projects and the teams and companies that have worked to construct them deserved recognition for the benefits their work will bring us for decades to come, Mr Pollard said.
“Infrastructure construction connects our communities, brings water to our homes, and shapes the built and natural environments around us.
“These projects are exemplars of what’s possible when civil contractors, infrastructure designers, clients and communities work together with the vision, licence and focus to meet the country’s infrastructure needs despite all the challenges the world has to throw at us.”
Hirepool is CCNZ’s Principal Business Partner and the premier sponsor for the awards. Gary Richardson, General Manager at Hirepool, said the accolades celebrated the ground-breaking skill and ingenuity Aotearoa’s civil construction industry had to offer.
“It is always great to hear about the incredible work taking place up and down the country as part of these awards, which recognise the country’s top infrastructure construction projects.
“This year’s winners and finalists have all shown outstanding dedication in constructing fantastic projects, which have transformed, connected and powered our country, particularly through the pandemics and natural disasters of the past 18 months. Hirepool is proud to support the country’s civil contractors.”
Read about the winners and all of this year's finalists in the Awards Book.
Winners: CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards 2023
Category 1: Projects with a value of up to $2m - Isaac Construction for the Matipo Street Rail Crossing Renewal, Christchurch
A four-track road crossing removal and upgrade, delayed to midnight by an NPC home semifinal, all completed within a 77-hour rail line closure is something special.
A whole of project wet weather roof covering was developed, tested and available. The project timetable set targets at 15-minute intervals and was used during the works to track progress and take action. Comprehensive community liaison ensured line closure was best, and the community understood what was happening and that its needs were met.
The rail crossing removal and improvement was completed within the block of line, from sub-pavement, concrete slabs and rails and pavement to the signals and communications network. It’s amazing that this was Isaac Construction’s first job for KiwiRail, and it paves the way and inspires trust for a good working relationship.
Category 2: Projects with a value of between $2m and $5m - Connell Contractors for the Poutu Intake and Tunnel Erosion Repair Works, Taupō
The riverbed intake and 2.7km tunnel for taking water from the Tongariro River to power the Tokaanu Power station suffered significant erosion damage caused by river gravels, sediment and rock over the course of its 50 years of operation.
This complex restoration project for Genesis Energy was remote, in a restricted confined space, in high-risk working conditions, with strict environmental controls to protect the Tongariro from any pollution. Connell Contractors had to be nimble to do the work during a brief six-week period of low power demand when the facility could be closed down.
Due to high water in the tunnel, Connell Contractors adapted initial plans to create water diversions around each repair and use a rock bond bagged concrete mix for the repair. The client found the team showed excellent passion, innovation, commitment and collaboration to get the job done.
Category 3: Projects with a value between $5m to $20m - Fulton Hogan for the 48-day State Highway Remediation Project
Intense rainfall triggered a regional state of emergency, with State Highway 6 between Nelson and Blenheim rendered impassable and closed to allow repairs to be completed and improve the network resilience. The local team of Fulton Hogan and WSP took on the challenge to design and rebuild several major structures before Christmas 2022.
Designs were customized around resource availability, minimizing potential delays. Project scope expanded as milestone points were delivered early. Twenty thousand cubic metres of spoil was removed, long-term river protection installed and the road realigned.
Residents were also escorted via forestry roads, allowing them to travel as required. And a local labour force of 120 staff including subcontractors supported by Waka Kotahi, Fulton Hogan and WSP achieved in seven weeks what would normally have taken 18 months to complete.
The project was successfully completed on budget and officially opened to the public on 18 December ahead of the Christmas holiday period.
Category 4: Projects with a value between $20m and $100m - Oxcon CLL for the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Sections 2 and 3
This joint initiative between Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi to construct a new shared path between Auckland’s eastern suburbs and Waitemata Harbour’s southern shores included 900m of elevated boardwalk through a Significant Ecological Area and a coastal marine area, two large super-T concrete bridges, and one crossing of the main trunk railway line.
The quality standards for the final asset are of a very high standard. This was achieved with effective planning, innovative thinking, skilled people and a high performing team. The contract engaged the whole company where everyone worked closely together. Sub-contractors and labour hire staff were treated as employees. The project’s culture and leadership was a highlight.
The judges were impressed that even in a competitive tender, high levels of collaboration and innovation were achieved. This contract was a landmark project for the Oxcon CLL team, who proved the decision to award the contract a great success, and constructed a shared pathway that is a great outcome for the client, contractor and the community.
Category 5: Projects with a value of greater than $100m - HEB Construction for the Napier Port Te Whiti Wharf 6
This project was built to accommodate larger cargo and cruise ships at Napier Port. Incredibly, it was completed under budget and seven months ahead of schedule. It featured construction of a 1.1m thick deck supported by over 400 piles installed to an astounding depth of 45m. Revetment works involved importing and placing 50,000 tonne of rock and installing 4,500 custom made blocks weighing up to 18 tonnes. The marine environment was well protected, stakeholder engagement in the IPO-funded project was highly collaborative and planning of sequential project stages seamless.
The judges congratulated HEB Construction, design partner Beca, client Napier Port and all involved on constructing this complex and innovative project with an excellent level of stakeholder engagement and highly technical construction methodology in a very challenging, resource constrained and uncertain time.
Category 6: Excellence in the maintenance and management of assets - Fulton Hogan for the Hastings District Council Rural Road Maintenance Contract
When Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the Hawkes Bay area in February 2023, Fulton Hogan mobilized every piece of plant, equipment, and team member alongside the NZ Army to make safe the roading network.
More than 120 road closures were mobilised and secured. Flooding was managed and slips cleared. No less than sixteen bridges rendered unusable needed close attention. More than 90 separate crews, (numbering 400 to 500 people including subcontractors) were mobilized to respond.
With no power or cell phone coverage available, communication was a priority for Civil Defence and Council. Fulton Hogan became a critical stakeholder link keeping regulatory authorities up to date with events as they unfolded in the community.
Aside from the key role in disaster response and recovery, Council and feedback from the community confirms Fulton Hogan’s performance over 14 years has improved year on year – and particularly through the contract assessment.
The judges congratulate Fulton Hogan and its subcontractors on demonstrating true excellence in the maintenance and management of assets, and for answering the call and restoring the local roading network across the Hastings District area as first responders for the community through a catastrophic natural disaster.
Highly Commended: Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards 2023
Category 1: Projects with a value of up to $2m - Interflow for the Waimea Inlet Sewer Line Recommission, Nelson
The Nelson Sewerage Business Unit had the option of laying a new pipe across the Waimea Estuary or using an abandoned underwater pipe in unknown condition. Enter Interflow, with the idea of using a pipe liner for a record-breaking 1.1km pull through the existing pipe, under the estuary.
The existing pipe was videoed, debris cleared, and a wire capable of pulling the German-made 1.1km Kevlar lining was installed. The liner was successfully installed in a single pull - the longest carried out in Australasia.
Smart thinking from Interflow and subcontractor Ching Contracting meant the project was achieved with no need for a resource consent, little risk to the pristine environment, no health and safety concerns and potential savings to the client of $4m.
Category 2: Projects between $2m and $5m - Downer for the Waiwaka Terrace Stormwater Culvert, New Plymouth
New Plymouth District Council discovered an old storm water culvert with a sewer running inside it had collapsed, requiring urgent remedial work.
The line ran under a section of State Highway 3 and a shared driveway, with houses very close by. Early contractor involvement saw a solution developed, replacing the severely broken section, strengthening the remaining culvert with a liner, upgrading other pipes feeding into the culvert and realigning the sewer.
This complex project in a confined residential area had strict noise and environmental controls. Downer used pre-drilling, sheet piling and hydraulically pressing the sheets into place which ensured little to no vibrations and reduced noise effects and risk to properties.
Category 3: Projects between $5m and $20m - Brian Perry Civil for the Porirua Wastewater Treatment Plant: Hydraulic Upgrade and Milliscreen Channel Remediation
Brian Perry Civil was initially engaged to review an option for upgrading the treatment plant at Wellington Water’s wastewater treatment plant at Porirua. But through an early contractor involvement process, an alternative design removing the requirement for expensive temporary works was devised, also removing the risk of discharge into the ocean and saving the client around $1m on the spot.
The final design and construction incorporated the best parts of other viable options and added a containerized screening process, a new full bypass system capable of screening all raw sewage prior to entering the plant, a new containerized screening system to manage all flows into the plant and a safer working methodology. It also removed the possibility of the plant discharging untreated sewage into the ocean.
The project was completed with no disruption to the Wellington Water plant operating contractor Veolia - a great outcome, a happy client, and a project worthy of commendation.