30 | Southland: Brian Perry Civil - Invercargill REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 195 Foreshore Rd, Bluff 9814 Ph: 03 212 8663 e: info@bew.co.nz Established in 1965 BEW ( Bluff Engineering & Welding ) have a long-standing reputation as first class Marine Engineers, Welding Specialists and suppliers of Maritime Services. B L U F F E N G I N E E R I N G & W E L D I N G C O • Specialist Welders • Maritime Engineering • General Engineering • Fitter & Turners • Fuel Management • Shipwright Services • Mechanical Engineering 03 214 0773 office@southcon.co.nz PO Box 5065, Waikiwi 9843 www.southcon.co.nz W Mark Allison - 0275 560 474 Shaun Murray - 0275 560 472 Russell Fredric Winning delivery on wharf upgrade The Bluff Town Wharf upgrade covered the fuel berth accessway, pipeline corridor and discharge platform involving installation of steel piles, installation of a new steel superstructure, a concrete deck for the discharge platform and a 150-metre long access bridge. Innovative thinking and planning by Brian Perry Civil (BPC) led to a highly successful project outcome as well as a top award for its main contractor role on Bluff’s Town Wharf upgrade. An arm of Fletcher Construction, the specialist foundations, structures and environmental remediation contractor operates throughout New Zealand and has accumulated an illustrious and varied portfolio of clients and projects. The company won the 2022 Civil Contractors New Zealand award for projects with a value between $5 million and $20 million for the upgrade. Owned and operated by South Port, Town Wharf is vital infrastructure in Bluff Harbour for the importation of bitumen and fuel for Southland and the Wakatipu Basin, with about 253 million litres imported each year. Originally built in the mid-1800s, the historic wharf required demolition of its existing deteriorating timber deck and stringers to enable the construction of a new, permanent staging system. Work finally started in May 2021 following a protracted tender process in which the original tenders presented, including BPC’s were all rejected late 2018 due to them being well over South Port’s budget. However, BPC southern regional new business manager, Chris Hughes, says following some brainstorming, BPC subsequently presented a reworked proposal which lead to a formal early contractor involvement process working with South Port’s designers and professional engineering services firm WSP to create a buildable, cost effective solution. “As South Port were open and realistic about their budget requirements for the works, we were able to drive innovation to ensure we delivered under budget,” Chris says. The upgrade covered the fuel berth accessway, pipeline corridor and discharge platform involving installation of steel piles, installation of a new steel superstructure, a concrete deck for the discharge platform and a 150-metre long access bridge. Materials included 53 driven steel piles and 225 tonnes of structural steel, while the total labour component involved 24,000 hours. The many challenges presented by the project included weather, sea swell, tide levels, keeping the fuel berth operational throughout the works, and ensuring the Stewart Island ferry service was not hindered, plus working through the covid pandemic. BPC project manager Olga Joensuu says the final stage of the project, the concrete for the wharf’s fuel and bitumen discharge platform was challenging to place. “It needed to have extra strength and durability because of the environment, and for the fuel containment purpose it is serving. “It was a massive workout for the experienced placers who handled it so well.” “We had a small, tight-knit team working on this project really well together. “It’s been a pleasure seeing the different skill-sets coming together and helping each other regardless of the task. The sub-contractors were brilliant, it was a well-executed project.” The CCNZ award was great recognition for all involved, she says. The wharf is closed to the public at the mo- “It’s been a pleasure seeing the different skill-sets coming together and helping each other regardless of the task. The sub-contractors were brilliant, it was a well-executed project.” ment, but is still being used by the commercial fishing fleet. Chris Hughes says BPC’s commitment to the Town Wharf project demonstrates its ability to develop workable solutions to meet client requirements and budgets. “This entry is a celebration of the skills and outstanding commitment of our team, both pre-contract and on-site to make this work happen. “Without BPC’s alternative solution, we believe this project most likely would not have proceeded.”
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