Rapidly mobilising construction projects

The Accord today issued new guidance to local and central government agencies on getting construction projects up and running quickly following the COVID-19 disruption. One of the focus areas for the COVID-19 Response Plan is to rapidly mobilise projects to support jobs and businesses in the sector, and boost New Zealand’s economic recovery.

As part of this work, an Accord subgroup has identified and analysed several existing rapid mobilization models for adoption by the sector, such as those used after the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes. It outlines approaches already being taken in NZ Transport Agency, the Ministry of Education, and within a group of Waikato councils.

From this, the Accord has produced an advice document for local and central government agencies that provides a range of potential delivery models in both the horizontal and vertical construction sectors, and suggestions for how to match models with project complexity and agency capability. It includes analysis on what works well and what doesn't in specific situations, and encompasses ways to streamline processes including procurement, consenting, governance, and funding approvals.

The rapid mobilisation models will be used to support delivery of the pipeline of government
construction projects across the country, as well as the 'shovel ready' programme that the Accord is working on with Crown Infrastructure Partners and the Infrastructure Commission.

The document includes several examples of different delivery models:

  • Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) – Alliance
  • Hamilton City Council Infrastructure Alliance – Collaborative Working Arrangement
  • AC36 Wynyard Edge Alliance – Alliance
  • North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) – Alliance
  • Ministry of Education – Panel
  • Watercare - Enterprise model

Accord partners, the Infrastructure Commission and New Zealand Government Procurement and Property (part of MBIE) will provide support to agencies that are implementing the models.

Read the Accord's advice document - Rapid mobilisation models to support post Covid-19 recovery [PDF, 3.6 MB]

Last updated: 11 May 2020