Tactic has welcomed the announcement that Northern Water has shortlisted two consortia being considered for the design and construction of its desalination plant, pipeline and associated infrastructure and that the preferred site is Mullaquana Station 20km south of Whyalla.
WaterConnector consortia is comprised of Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd and Acciona Agua Australia Pty Ltd, while Watermark consortia is comprised of Clough Project Australia Pty Ltd (Webuild Group), Fisia Italimpianti SpA (Webuild Group), CPB Contractors Pty Ltd and Sacyr Water Pty Ltd.
Who will now prepare detailed proposals outlining how they would design, construct, operate and maintain both the desalination plant and its distribution pipeline.
“These are significant milestones in a project that will be central to the future economic development of South Australia and underpin the growing prosperity of communities across the north of the state,” said Danny Bartlett, Chair of Tactic.
The Northern Water Project has the potential to overcome the limitations restricted water supply imposes on operations in the north of South Australia and enable the region to achieve its full commercial potential.
Critically it will do so in an environmentally sustainable way, reducing pressure on the Great Artesian Basin, River Murray and local groundwater bores whilst drawing on power produced by the region's world-class renewable energy assets.
“Should the Northern Water Supply project get the green light when the final investment decision is made next year, local businesses will be in line for the significant opportunities it will generate,” said Mr Bartlett.
“Local knowledge is an invaluable asset when major industrial enterprises are undertaken in regional areas, and no one understands the supply chain of the Upper Spencer Gulf like Tactic.
“We believe this is very much a two-way street for South Australian taxpayers, with local business providing exceptional value for money as part of the supply chain and entrenching the economic benefits of the $5 billion investment in the local communities.
“The capacity acquired by local businesses in the construction phase of Northern Water will be invaluable in servicing the second wave of investment that will flow from the increased availability of water.”
Tactic also expects local business to play a pivotal role in operation and maintenance of the Northern Water Project for decades to come.
Tactic congratulates our Industry Partners, BHP’s Local Buying Program, Northern Water, BHP, Acciona and CPB on this significant achievement, which reflects the strong cohesion and teamwork between all parties in reaching this milestone. With the project now to be located in the Whyalla region, the Local Buying Program is positioned to further support our members and local suppliers, while also working in alignment with the South Australian Government’s Whyalla Special Economic Zone.
We encourage all members and local suppliers to apply to the Local Buying Program here: www.localbuyingprogram.com.au