Parramatta Light Rail (PLR) is one of the NSW Government’s major infrastructure projects being delivered to serve a growing Sydney. PLR will create new communities, connect great places and help both locals and visitors move around and explore what the Western Sydney region has to offer.
Stage 1 will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres, and is expected to open in 2023. The route will link Parramatta’s CBD and train station to the Westmead Precinct, Parramatta North Growth Centre, the new Bankwest Stadium, the Camellia Town Centre, the new Powerhouse Museum and Riverside Theatres cultural precinct, the private and social housing redevelopment at Telopea, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and three Western Sydney University campuses.
CLIENT'S OBJECTIVES
TfNSW received approval from the NSW Government in May 2017 to procure contractors for PLR Stage 1 through an innovative multi-contract procurement model which includes the following contracts:
TfNSW brought a team of ConnellGriffin Advisors on board to develop and implement a collaborative and innovative transaction strategy—driven by the desire to have an operator-led solution for the project—to procure suitable and appropriately qualified contractors for PLR Stage 1. ConnellGriffin also provided strategic support through a high performing and highly skilled team, placing the achievement of the best outcome for TfNSW at the centre of the transaction strategy.
OUR ROLE
ConnellGriffin worked with TfNSW to develop and implement a collaborative and innovative transaction strategy - driven by the desire to have an operator led solution for the project - to procure suitable and appropriately qualified contractors for PLR Stage 1. ConnellGriffin provided strategic support through a high performance and highly skilled team, placing the achievement of the best outcome for TfNSW at the centre of the transaction strategy.
The services provided included:
ACHIEVEMENTS, SOLUTIONS AND VALUE ADDS:
The accelerated program to procure each contract presented challenging timeframes to ensure the light rail will be operational in 2023 as committed to by the NSW Government.
The three phase procurement model ensured both successful tenderers for the Infrastructure and SOM packages had well developed designs and delivery methodologies and the interfaces between the two packages were well understood, defined and aligned.
The ConnellGriffin transaction management team was credited as being a key enabler for TfNSW to meet the tight deadlines for the procurement of the Infrastructure Contract. In addition, PLR Stage 1 was one of the first major infrastructure projects in NSW to respond to the “NSW Government Action Plan: A ten point commitment to the construction sector”, which was introduced during the Tender period. This led to identifying and implementing innovative aspects of the transaction to respond to the Action Plan including the desire to reduce tendering costs and to ensure highly interactive and collaborative practices were embedded in project.
The collaborative and interactive tendering process ensured both TfNSW and the tenderers were fully informed about each other’s drivers and objectives leading to high quality submissions and the eventual award of the contracts, on time and on budget. The process also led to the development of strong relationships between TfNSW and the tenderers.
Richard Martin
Director
Richard is a Chartered Civil Engineer and brings 25 years’ experience to the infrastructure sector - he is one of Australia’s most experienced transaction and commercial advisors, who’s expertise spans a variety of sectors including transport, energy, water and social infrastructure. He has a reputation as a having a “do what it takes” attitude, as well as possessing a high level of commercial and practical acumen.
Richard has significant project development and delivery leadership experience through his involvement on large project and programs of work in Europe and Australia. Richard has delivered a variety of services including strategic and commercial advice to both private and government clients on projects from the inception and planning phase, through to construction and operation. In the last decade, Richard has provided advisory services on some of Australia’s most high-profile infrastructure projects.
Prior to arriving in Australia, Richard was the lead Project Manager on the delivery of a $3 billion infrastructure investment program of works in the UK, where he was responsible for the development, procurement, construction and commissioning of several large brownfield complex infrastructure projects. His achievements on this program of works resulted in him finishing runner-up in the United Kingdom’s Association for Project Management’s ‘Young Project Manager of the Year’ award.
Outside work, Richard is a keen cook and enjoys eating out with family and friends. At the weekend, he spends time with his family, playing football and ubering his kids to their various sporting and social activities.
Richard Butlin
Director
Richard has over 28 years' of experience in providing strategic consulting, commercial, procurement and technical management services for transport, power and other infrastructure projects globally. Richard has extensive experience in the project definition, feasibility, investment decision, concept design, funding approval, delivery readiness and transaction phases of high value, high risk infrastructure projects. He has provided advice and consultancy services on projects for metro systems, light rail systems, heavy rail infrastructure, rolling stock, operational systems and infrastructure in the power and energy sectors.
Wesley Rhode
Director
Wesley is a Civil Engineer with 20 years’ experience in the delivery and management of large engineering and construction projects in Australia and overseas.
He has successfully held key roles as a client’s representative, contractor and technical advisor, and has experience in delivering projects from inception through to construction, commissioning and handover. Wesley brings his strong contract and delivery, transaction management and technical management experience from his recent roles on Sydney Metro Northwest, NorthConnex, WestConnex and South West Rail Link.
His contract and commercial management experience is reinforced by a Masters in Construction Law recently completed at The University of Melbourne.
Outside of his professional life, Wesley enjoys playing golf, reading, spending time with his family, and watching rugby, golf and Formula 1.
Daniel Chakra
Director
Daniel has extensive experience in the infrastructure market, providing procurement, contract and project management services for public and private sector clients, both in Australia and the United Kingdom.
This experience has provided Daniel with the knowledge to deliver large, complex, multi-disciplined projects under various contractual arrangements, at all stages of the project lifecycle.
His specific area of expertise is in the procurement and management of high-value projects. Recently he has been procuring and managing these types of contracts, within the maritime, rail and light-rail environment.
Working with clients such as John Holland, Transport for New South Wales, ARTC and most recently, Port Authority NSW, Daniel’s understanding of government policies and procedures has been integral to the development of his expertise. Having worked both client and contractor-side, has provided him with a high-level of commercial acumen and understanding of the importance of delivering mutually successful outcomes.
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