IPA National Infrastructure Awards PROJECT OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by ARUP Winner: Melbourne Channel Deepening Project Port of Melbourne Corporation, Royal Boskalis Westminster, Cardno, Minter Ellison, GHD, Sinclair Knight Merz The prestigious Project of the Year for 2010 was awarded to Victoria’s channel deepening project. The selection of this excellent project also marks the first time that a project delivered under an alliance model has received the award. Previous winners include: 2009: HQ JOCC (CTH) 2008: Eastlink Motorway (VIC) 2007: NSW Schools PPP (NSW)
Completed in November 2009, the channel deepening project underpins future growth for Australia’s most valuable container port and will deliver economic benefits of more than $2 billion to the national economy. Giving the port at least another 30 years of capacity, the project involved the removal of nearly 23 million cubic metres of sediment from Port Phillip Bay, allowing ships to enter the bay and the Yarra River up to a depth of 14m at high or low tide. The previous maximum depths had been 11.6m, or 12.1m at high tide. Dredging Port Phillip Bay was the largest marine infrastructure project in the Port of Melbourne’s 150-year history. Along with dredging, the project was also an opportunity to undertake a general upgrade of the port, including work on navigation aids, upgrading of berths and protection of essential underwater services. Commencing in February 2008, the project was completed in November 2009, one month ahead of schedule and at least $200 million under budget. Of particular note was the successful delivery of this project in the face of massive opposition from pressure groups, while being subject to the most stringent environmental management plan applied to any infrastructure project in Australia’s history. EDITION 1
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