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Shared pathway trials new approach to infrastructure builds
26 September 2023
A fresh approach to a project involving central and local government as well as local contractors is not only delivering on time but providing a blueprint for future infrastructure collaborations.
The project is a shared pathway in the Porirua suburb of Papakōwhai. Involving the Porirua City Council, funder Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and local contractors, it had tight deadlines.
In early 2023 it came to the attention of a team from WorkSafe Innovation and the Construction Sector Accord, at the time holding a series of conversations with stakeholders about the issues plaguing New Zealand’s infrastructure management. Under the banner Thriving Infrastructure the team aims to enable local solutions to widely-recognised national issues including the quantum of work, procurement and current ways of building and repairing.
“New Zealand is facing a large number of infrastructure builds, replacements and repairs creating an opportunity to collaborate on how we want to work to achieve a flourishing infrastructure sector ” Worksafe project lead Charlene Donald says.
“In different regions Thriving Infrastructure brings together a diverse and decentralized community – people from central government, councils and contractors - mobilising locally-designed and led innovation which works for their communities. ”
“The Papakōwhai Shared Pathway is a very good illustration of the idea in action,” Ms Donald says.
With tight timeframes for the pathway, Porirua City Council looked at whether and how it could streamline its usual approach to procurement. First step was early notice to local consultants, with a briefing so they could determine whether this was a go/no-go project and plan accordingly. This also helped Council determine interest, set out clear expectations and open communication lines.
“We also decided on an open tender which very clearly defined what we wanted, which design areas were fixed and which were flexible. This meant contractors would focus on what mattered, and saved us all time on emails and so on,” project lead Christian Jensen says.
The early discussions also presented opportunities to mitigate some programme risks. Agreement with the invited tenderers on specifications such as test type, proposed locations and depths saw Council agree to engage site investigations – again saving significant time for the programme.
The Council weighted its tender requirements differently, reflecting suggestions from one of the parties. Instead of the standard 60% priced, 40% non-priced the request for tender 80% non-priced and 20% priced. This better reflected the critical nature of the programme and relevant experience that was needed to achieve a successful outcome for this project.
Key players are very happy with the outcome.
Christian says they’re one of the first of more than 40 Councils with funding from the Waka Kotahi Transport Choices scheme to get to tender.
“Feedback from even the unsuccessful tenderers was that we’d made it clear what we wanted to achieve, and the Request for Tenders and briefing session were some of the best they had experienced,” Christian says.
“The approach we took has us on track and on time.”
“We plan to start construction in early November and have it completed by June 2024 if not earlier,” he says.
Waka Kotahi Urban Mobility Manager Kathryn King says the Transport Choices programme is designed to help councils fast-track projects that support a rapid shift to more sustainable and active travel.
“Projects like the Papakōwhai shared path are a step towards a future where it’s safer, easier, more affordable and healthier to live, play and work in our towns and cities.”
“This is exactly what we aim to demonstrate – showing what’s possible in our communities by quickly providing people with the freedom to move around in ways that are good for all of us – and the planet.”
Charlene says creating a space for positive change offers benefits for many parties.
“It takes being open to hearing other people’s perspectives, having the maturity to critically analyse that information and the agency to make changes.”
“Those elements came together in the Papakōwhai pathway project – which also exemplifies our commitment to projects under this umbrella being locally defined and owned.
“Worksafe is invested because we expect a thriving sector will deliver better health and safety outcomes.”
Thriving Infrastructure is funded and governed jointly with the WorkSafe Innovation team and the Construction Sector Accord.
