42 | CONTRACTING Wilson Contractors T T Virginia Wright Developments keep busy firm on the go Winton’s Ayrburn development has been ongoing for six years, with significant milestones already achieved. Having qualified and working as a civil engineer in Northern Ireland and Scotland in the early 2000s, Michael McAllister came to New Zealand in 2013, spending a few years working on the Christchurch rebuild before moving to Queenstown, where he was to become general manager of Wilson Contractors. Michael was introduced to Wilson Contractors when they were one of the subcontractors working with McConnell Dowell to build the new bridge at Kawarau Falls. “That’s where I made the connection and eventually moved over to join them. Working for a tier one company like McConnell Dowell can mean moving to the next big project wherever it is, whereas with Wilson we stay local and we try to do most of the work ourselves so we’ve got our own staff, and our own plant and machinery, and we aim to deliver all of the projects ourselves,” explains Michael. Michael started with Wilson Contractors in 2018 as a contracts manager and has enjoyed being in one place and becoming part of a community. His extensive background in utilities, underground infrastructure and general civil works has served him well with Wilson Contractors, which specialises in major earthworks, roading and drainage projects throughout the Central Otago and Southland regions. “We’ve been doing a lot of subdivisions in Central Otago so we start with a greenfield site and install all the underground services and utilities like the stormwater, sewer, water supply, power supply, communications, and we also build the road, footpaths, shape the lots and do all the earthworks and everything needed so that it’s sitting looking good and ready to go for when people want to move in and start building houses,” says Michael. Amongst working for various private developers, Wilson Contractors has undertaken a variety of projects for local councils, such as the Queenstown Lakes District Council, ranging from work on road rehabilitation to stormwater repairs. Winton Land Limited also provides a steady flow of work for its high-end developments in Central Otago. Winton’s Ayrburn development has been ongoing for six years, with significant milestones already achieved. During that same time Wilson Contractors has completed the development at River Terrace in Cromwell, as well as working on various stages of the Northlake development in Wanaka, explains Michael. “River Terrace was a 17-lot development with sizeable lifestyle blocks and big open spaces, so we did the roads within the subdivision as well as an upgrade of the existing road and all the earthworks needed for the houses,” he says. “Northlake is a subdivision in Wanaka that needed a considerable amount of earthworks to reshape the existing ground to make it more suitable for the lots before we start building the roads and putting the other services in.” All of Winton’s developments require a high level of finish, which keeps them interesting says Michael, but the development of Ayrburn has been the most interesting and challenging so far. “It’s quite different because it’s not purely a housing development. It’s an area that’s almost been forgotten in the region and Winton have put a huge amount of time and resources into developing it.” Winton’s vision is to revitalise the history and legacy of the valley where one of Central Otago’s first and most successful farms was established in 1864. Ayrburn was a working farm through to the early 21st century, and remediating the original stone character-filled buildings into a world-class hospitality venue is a core part of the work in progress. Wilson Contractors is responsible for the extensive work needed to enhance the area’s natural features, while providing safe access throughout the valley and up to the waterfall at the head of the valley. “It’s been challenging from an engineering point of view with a strong focus on the environmental aspect of the work we’re doing, but also the quality of the finish is always front of mind. It’s exceptional and we’re pushing the guys on site to make sure they get it right all the time,” says Michael. While some of that exceptional work is underground and will never be seen, those who drive or walk in and around Ayrburn might spare a thought for the skill needed to stack four-ton rocks in such a way that they look like they have always been there, rather than part of the extensive work done to make the creek safe against future weather events. ON TIME & IN BUDGET Call MARK KELLY 0274382365 KERB CENTRAL MARK@KERBCENTRAL.CO.NZ For all your commercial & residential kerbing needs in the Central Otago area. Also specialising in driveways, footpaths & patios.
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