Council proposes changes to three waters contracts
Central Otago District Council (CODC) is changing the structure of its three waters maintenance contracts. The aim is to improve efficiency, transparency and cost-effectiveness for residents and ratepayers.
This has resulted in the current single maintenance contract being split into separate reticulation and facilities contracts. The new reticulation contract includes maintenance of the pipe networks, and the connections to properties. The new facilities contract includes maintenance of the treatment plants, reservoirs and pumpstations.
CODC Group Manager – Three Waters Julie Muir, said that changes were required to meet the Government's Local Water Done Well requirements. The new legislation requires increased compliance, monitoring, and reporting.
“Since 2013, maintenance and operations for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, have been through a single traditional contract. With this contract coming to an end on 30 June 2025, we have reviewed how we best deliver these services to meet future needs. We’re looking for improved cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.”
The initial stages of the tender process have been completed, and preferred tenderers have been shortlisted. Negotiations will now occur, with a recommendation for Council to consider on 28 February.
Fulton Hogan has been shortlisted for water reticulation, and specialist water, wastewater and environmental services company TRILITY for the facilities contract.
Ms Muir believed that unbundling reticulation and water facilities contracts, and bringing new skills and experience to the area, would have benefits for Central Otago residents and ratepayers.
“TRILITY brings substantial experience in water and wastewater facilities management, servicing over 600 facilities across Australia and New Zealand. This includes schemes in small towns which experience high summer populations and in dealing with the impacts of extreme weather events.”
Fulton Hogan’s deep local knowledge of the Central Otago network will continue to be an invaluable resource, Ms Muir emphasised.
“Fulton Hogan remains our recommended partner for operating the water reticulation,” Ms Muir said. “We understand the prospect of change may raise concerns about staffing and roles and we will work closely with both companies to ensure a smooth transition, including working to minimise impacts on staff if there are any.”
Ms Muir said the regulatory environment for drinking water compliance and wastewater disposal was increasingly complex, and that these changes were designed to strengthen the delivery of essential water services to our communities.
“By partnering with two strong, capable companies, we can ensure the continued effective delivery of water services across Central Otago.”
CODC plans to finalise both contracts following Council’s February 2025 meeting, with new agreements set to take effect in mid-2025. Both contracts will be in place for a minimum of four years.
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About TRILITY
TRILITY is an Australian and New Zealand company specialising in the delivery of water, wastewater and environmental services. They currently service over 600 facilities.
TRILITY has been established in New Zealand since 2015 and has a large operational team based in Rotorua, and an office and workshop in Mt Maunganui. They have primarily focussed on work in the central North Island. TRILITY consider the partnership with CODC on the facilities operations contract as an opportunity to establish a long-term permanent presence in the South Island.
TRILITY has extensive experience in the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants across regional areas in Australia and New Zealand. This includes:
- a full range of operations, maintenance, asset management and maintenance services relevant to CODC’s needs.
- a record of adding value thought their in-house operations and asset management, water quality process engineering, control systems, upgrade project delivery and specialist maintenance expertise.
- experience in working in regional and remote areas in a variety of challenging climatic and site conditions and dealing with systems spread over a wide geographic area.
- a range of industry supply chain agreements which they are able to leverage to deliver value for CODC
- experience on a range of highly relevant contract sizes in terms of scope and value
- in-house operator training, water quality, asset management, maintenance planning, data analytics and control systems specialists who support their front-line operational teams.
- use of their pool of specialist water industry staff to support contract teams during incidents and emergencies, and to provide cover to front line operations staff.
As part of the tender review process, local government clients across Australia and New Zealand who have contracts with TRILITY, were contacted. The feedback received was extremely positive and provided assurance that TRILITY has an excellent track record in meeting their clients' expectations.
Wastewater Treatment | Water Infrastructure | Water Frontline Operators
