South Australia’s construction industry is poised to experience a significant surge in activity thanks to a series of new partnerships and tenders announced by SA Water. At a special forum, details emerged of a $3.3 billion capital program designed to increase capacity in the state’s water and sewer network. This initiative is expected to facilitate the construction of up to 40,000 new housing allotments through enhancements to existing infrastructure.
The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Nick Champion MP, revealed that three specialist pipeline companies, BMD, Diona, and Leed Engineering and Construction, have been secured to undertake up to $700 million worth of work over the next four years. Their immediate role will involve laying trunk water and sewer pipes crucial for the new housing developments. “These companies will play a pivotal role in delivering the record capital program which will build network capacity and enable future expansion,” Minister Champion stated.
The capital program itself forms a critical part of the Premier’s Housing Roadmap, including a $1.5 billion investment that focuses on upgrades to pipes, pump stations, and tanks. Geographically, the focus will be on Adelaide’s northern expansion areas like Angle Vale, Riverlea, and Roseworthy, maximising the housing capacity through strategic infrastructure development.
Leed Engineering and Construction will begin pre-construction work early, setting the stage for the installation of underground trunk water mains starting in 2025 at Angle Vale. This is part of a broader effort to double and upgrade the capacity of existing trunk mains, a necessity for accommodating new construction.
Additionally, a substantial $398 million in new tenders was shared with more than 250 industry members, including leading bodies like the Civil Contractors Federation and the Master Builders Association. These tenders include SA Water’s Water Main Relay (Metropolitan), Extensions and Connections, the Engineering panel, and the Capital Delivery Professional Services panel, all set to commence from 1 July 2025.
Rebecca Pickering, CEO of the Civil Contractors Federation SA, commented on the industry’s readiness to rise to the occasion. “Civil contractors in this state are ready to deliver the critical infrastructure needed to increase the supply of new homes,” she stated.
The scope of work also extends to other significant projects within the SA Water’s capital program, including enhancements to the Beetaloo and Port Pirie South major trunk mains. The forum also threw light on numerous subcontracting opportunities, to the tune of $799 million, accessible through SA Water’s construction partners. These engagements will span a diverse range of specialist disciplines from concrete rehabilitation to structural steelwork, covering about 120 projects including the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline upgrade.
The forum presented an avenue for prospective companies to engage directly with SA Water and its construction partners, offering a comprehensive view of the impending projects and the potential roles various industry players could undertake.
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