South East Water has awarded contracts for more than $50 million a year for water and sewerage maintenance services over the next five years.
The contracts will keep critical water and sewer networks to Melbourne’s south east suburbs running.
The contracts will provide essential services to the community.
The delivery model which has been in place since 2013 has been updated in a new innovative stream.
Maintenance services starting from 1 October 2022 will be divided into two Program Streams. Two contractors (to be known as Industry Partners) will be appointed for each Program Stream.
Program Stream 1 – Water civil, Sewer cleaning and Sewer civil works:
- Downer Utilities Australia Pty Ltd
- Service Stream Maintenance Pty Ltd
Program Stream 2 – Mechanical and Electrical works:
- Service Stream Maintenance Pty Ltd
- Programmed Facility Management Pty Ltd (also including Pressure Sewers)
South East Water Managing Director, Lara Olsen, said it’s important that the utility gets the best outcomes for its customers, and the new model achieves this by enabling partnerships to bring ideas and innovation to improve safety, processes, efficiency, and value.
“Our current maintenance model has served us well since establishing it in 2013. Looking ahead there are a number of drivers and changes that we need to accommodate, and opportunities to realise for our customers.
“I’d like to thank our outgoing contractors for their service over the last few years, we’ll continue to work closely together to ensure we have a smooth and seamless transition out of the current arrangements,” Ms Olsen said.
Chris Yeats, General Manager Water Services Programs for Downer Utilities, said the contract was a significant win for Downer as it was Australia’s largest supplier of outsourced water services.
David Zropf, Executive Director, Utilities at Service Stream, said his company has a long and successful history of working with South East Water.
“Being awarded this contract reinforces the strong relationship between our organisations and their trust in us to provide solutions that meet the growing needs of their customers,” Mr Zropf said.
CEO Facility Management at Programmed, Graeme Hurn, said South East Water recognised Programmed to be culturally aligned with the services.
“Our continued growing experience in the water sector has solidified Programmed as the leading maintenance provider for water and wastewater assets across Australia,” Mr Hurn said.
The current contracts allow for a transition period before the Industry Partners begin to perform the maintenance services from 1 October 2022.
