New SCIRT-like alliance for Kaikoura rebuild
Friday, 23 December 2016
A construction alliance similar to the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Team will fix the roads and rail line into Kaikoura.
The North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) alliance includes the NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail, and infrastructure companies Fulton Hogan, Downer, Higgins and HEB Construction.
Forsyth Barr analyst Matthew Henry estimated estimated Higgins owner Fletcher Building could earn $18 million to $35m before interest and tax depending on construction margins, and potentially $12m from supplying aggregate.
'While government is aiming to restore limited access on the route in 12 months we expect the project will extend beyond this,' Henry said.
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The aim of setting up the organisation is to avoid delays in companies tendering for work, with the estimated $2 billion worth of work to be divided among them.
The alliance will be led by Duncan Gibb, the chief executive who set up and led SCIRT after the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
Two SCIRT partners City Care and McConnell Dowell are not included in the Kaikoura alliance.
Gibb is returning from Australia where he took a job with Fulton Hogan in December 2014 after managing SCIRT.
He will oversee the rail and road repairs between Oaro and the Clarence River, and management of the State Highway from Picton and Christchurch via Murchison and Lewis Pass.
The alliance is at the early stages and is underpinned by a special Act of Parliament and Order in Council allowing work to go ahead without requiring resource consents.
There is still a requirement for cultural and environmental consultation with relevant agencies.
The wording of the legislation is available on the Ministry of Transport web site.