AUSTRALIA / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 18, 2020 / Aurecon in a joint venture with Jacobs (NYSE:J), is delivering sewage treatment planning and design services to Urban Utilities in a three year program that has achieved its first major milestone.

Urban Utilities is one of two distributor-retailers responsible for delivering vital water and sewage services to households and businesses across South East Queensland, Australia. It manages approximately AU$5.4 billion in assets, including 29 sewage treatment plants, and provides water and sewerage services to a population of 1.5 million.

According to Urban Utilities, the project has just passed the first six-month milestone and has delivered market ready documentation for AU$77 million of infrastructure upgrades and deferred more than AU$20 million of capital investment, helping drive greater value for Urban Utilities customers.

Aurecon’s Urban Utilities Water Client Leader David Thomas said the sustainable management of infrastructure in Queensland requires an integrated and human-centered approach to planning across the full water cycle.

"Water security, water use efficiency, climate resilience, sustainable sanitation and reduced risk from floods are all central to how we think about the future of water. But it’s more than just about engineering. We are focusing on the human experience of our customers and the communities we serve, aiming to make a difference and realise the true value of water for Queensland,” Mr Thomas said.

In early 2020, Aurecon and Jacobs formed a joint venture to deliver planning and design services to Urban Utilities. The project team is leveraging its global experience working with biological treatment technologies and supporting renewable energy and waste-to-resource projects to deliver catchment and system-based solutions that achieve positive environmental outcomes and value. The project team is co-located with Urban Utilities in its corporate office in Brisbane.

Aurecon’s Managing Director, Queensland Evelyn Storey said that the water sector is often seen as an enabler of future economic stability and it is fantastic to be growing our local water team and increasing our water capabilities in the State.

“Having passed the first six months of our program with Urban Utilities, we can reflect back on some major achievements in a short space of time and look forward to continuing to add value through this work for Queenslanders,” Ms Storey said.

Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President of Operations Patrick Hill said: “Like many of our clients, Urban Utilities is responding to a complex mix of economic, environmental and social pressures”.

“The state of Queensland has experienced sustained population growth above the national average and around 90% of this growth is concentrated in the urban areas of the South East. The global water expertise of our team will support Urban Utilities in effectively planning and delivering affordable, reliable, resilient and sustainable services for future generations as this growth continues.”

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