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NewsAurecon, Arup and APP appointed North East Link Independent Reviewer and Environmental Auditor

9 November 2021 | 2 min

An Aurecon, Arup and APP joint venture (AAAJV) has been appointed Independent Reviewer and Environmental Auditor for Melbourne’s North East Link a major, multi-faceted infrastructure program that will significantly improve the city’s connectivity and amenity.

AAAJV will work with the Victorian Government and the Spark consortium, which will build, operate and maintain the project, to help deliver the North East Link program, which includes road tunnels, a dedicated busway, 34-kilometres of walking and cycling paths and major new parklands.

Aurecon, Arup and APP appointed North East Link Independent Reviewer and Environmental Auditor.

The ‘missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network’ will improve travel times across the city, take thousands of trucks off local roads and provide better public and active transport options. The tunnels will free up extensive space for parklands and wetlands.

Drawing on its combined expertise and experience of major civil and tunnelling projects and public private partnerships, the AAAJV team will independently assess that project development, delivery and completion of the AUD 11.1 billion primary tunnelling package of works are in accordance with the project specifications and approval conditions.

“A broad range of professional services will be provided by the AAAJV to address the Independent Reviewer and Environmental Auditor scope, bringing extensive experience in all aspects of major civil and tunnelling projects and Public Private Partnerships. The Joint Venture will have a fulltime construction surveillance team in operation and will deliver its work through innovative digital collaboration systems,” Angus Leitch, Aurecon’s Managing Director, Transportation – Australia and Clients & Markets said.

“Aurecon is particularly excited about how this project will not only support improved infrastructure but also economic and social development through innovative social procurement and opening up transport and recreational opportunities for generations to come.”

Inclusive employment opportunities

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the project is the largest-ever investment in Melbourne’s north-east and will support 10,000 jobs. Employment opportunities will extend to priority job-seekers under a scheme being developed by the AAAJV.

In partnership with one of Australia’s leading employment social enterprises, Brotherhood of St Laurence, AAAJV will offer a career pathways program, which will meet the needs of jobseekers and the wider market.

“We are co-creating an innovative social procurement plan allowing us to identify and remove barriers to employment. At the same time as supporting individuals, we are contributing to a robust, resilient and diverse Victorian workforce, which can deliver the State’s infrastructure pipeline of works,” Mr Leitch said.

“This is about more than just the infrastructure itself; it’s about a project that meets mobility, economic and community needs.”

The Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allen said 500,000 people live within two kilometres of a North East Link interchange, and the design is the result of extensive community consultation.

North East Link is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments. Early works are underway and the project will be complete by 2028.

The Spark consortium includes Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, Ventia, WeBuild, GS Engineering and Construction, China Construction Oceania, Capella Capital, John Laing and DIF.