We provide our customers with an integrated and collaborative approach to deliver sustainable and innovative marine, wharf and port infrastructure solutions.
Our expertise includes construction and maintenance of ports, wharves and marine structures, and offering whole-of-life asset solutions for critical infrastructure for intermodal hubs’ that link road, rail, and domestic and international shipping services.
We have a long track record of design and construction of wharves and maintaining ports. Our capabilities include land reclamation, streetscape, wharves, jetties and marinas, crane and gantry infrastructure, hardstand pavements, resurfacing, customised paving solutions, facilities management, technical network solutions and lighting installations.
We provide several services to CentrePort in Wellington as a pavement, resurfacing and renewals maintenance and projects contractor. We have formed a long standing relationship with CentrePort based on our quality delivery and precise programme management, often having to work around the shipping dates and times. We have been at the forefront of pavement design, providing alternative innovative heavy-duty asphalt pavements that meet the heavy design loadings expected in such a demanding area and ensure the longevity of the products in such harsh environmental conditions.
Demonstrating excellence in delivering contracts requires constant development and continuous improvement. In an increasingly budget constrained market, we are continually required to provide innovative solutions to balance significant risk and nominal margins to secure and construct quality projects. By creating a culture of co-operative decision-making, risk sharing, and financial transparency in a collaborative based contract, such as an Alliance, the asset owner, constructor and design team can overcome the challenges of traditional projects, and those faced by more conventional contract models.
An example of this collaborative contract would be the recent Wynyard Edge Alliance (WEA) which was established to design and construct the infrastructure facilities for the next America’s Cup event (AC36).
The scope of the project was to create the sheltered berthing conditions required for the AC75 race boats, support craft and visiting superyachts the design included eight new breakwaters (with a combined total length of approximately 420m) off the existing Hobson, Halsey and Wynyard Wharves. For the AC36 event to happen on time, WEA had to meet all the immovable deadlines – so programme management was vital to success. Based on the critical nature of the programme, construction and design planning started early and in the true nature of an Alliance, the teams delivered on time and to schedule. More about how Downer turned a brownfield waterfront area into a world class event space, and platform for Auckland’s future growth.
Project management is a core capability that enables Downer to operate effectively under various client engagement models. Effective systems supported by targeted training ensures that the quality of work delivered meets customer needs. The wide-ranging capabilities bring end-to-end solutions to central and local government agencies, privately owned ports and commercial development enterprises.
Hear about Steve Killeen, Downer New Zealand CEO talking about the AC36 project
Waitangi wharf – Chatham islands enterprise trust and council
This 2018 CCNZ Award winning project was an Alliance model between, Downer and HEB. They were tasked to design and construct a new wharf for the Chatham Islands to replace their old and degraded wharf. The wharf is a critical lifeline for the Islands, providing the only port for commercial fishing operations, export and import freight operations, and shipping of all consumer items for the community. The scope of work included:
- Demolition of the existing 100m long, 12m wide concrete and timber wharf.
- Dredging of over 7,000m2 of harbour and seabed to improve berthing for vessels.
- Design and construction of a 185m-long breakwater using 3,300 of the Xbloc interlocking concrete armouring blocks.
- Design and construction of two 6m-high concrete walls and backfilling behind them by the placement of 100,000m3 of quarried basalt rock
- Design and construction of a 350mm-thick 120m x 120m new concrete hardstand for the traversable wharf area. This included installation of new utility services for stormwater, sewer, potable water, electricity, lighting, and fuel lines.
- Design and construction of new facilities for livestock transportation including holding pens and allocated stock race, a new building and a separate fisherman’s wharf facility.
Rangitoto island wharf replacement – department of conservation
Downer was awarded the construction contract for the new approach walkway (85m x 2.4m, 16 piles), wharf head (39m x 11m, 21 piles), fendering works and removal of the existing timber wharf. The new wharf is founded on 600mm and 760mm diameter steel cased reinforced concrete piles. The steel casings are bottom-driven to the underlying basalt rock or to a “set” within the firm sands with precast beams subsequently placed to span between the piles. The wharf decking consists of pre-stressed concrete double tee and flat slab units. All precast elements were designed for stitch cast connections to minimise both the on-site formwork and environmental risk from concrete spills.
Westhaven promenade and cycle way
The promenade project was approximately 2km in length, linking the Western Bays and Harbour Bridge to Wynyard Quarter for pedestrians and cyclists. The works included three separable portions, that covered off, demolition, excavation, boardwalk piling, seawall stabilisation, piling, concrete and precast work, reinforcing and structural steel, carpentry, drainage, electrical works, paving and kerbing, planting, furniture and fittings.
