Manufacturing
Issue No. 52 - April/May 2010
Fletcher recaps Techport lessons
When Techport Australia’s Common User Facility was formally commissioned in February, Defence SA chief Andrew Fletcher drew praise from on high for his work to develop the facility that will underpin decades of high-value work for South Australia.
SA Premier, Mike Rann, Defence SA Advisory Board Chairman, General Peter Cosgrove and Defence Materiel Organisation GM Programs, Warren King, acknowledged the vital Andrew has played since taking up his key role in 2005.
Looking back, Andrew says the experience holds valuable lessons.
“The first thing we had to do was rejig the budget. The estimates were out by a long way,” he says. “We triple-checked the costs, did a serious risk analysis, expanded the scope of the facility and allowed sensible contingencies. I had to go back to the Government and tell them they were $116 million short!
“We used an early contractor involvement process so we could go to market early with estimates and when we asked for bids these were close to actual cost. (Contractors) McConnell Dowell - Built Environs joint venture was a perfect cultural fit and deserve congratulations.”
The challenge was to deliver the project within the$243m budget, which was achieved. Andrew is very confident the State has got good value, with many good ideas from contractors incorporated in Techport.
“It was a serious challenge to let the shiplift and transfer system contract. There are only three firms in the world that can do it and one withdrew!” he says. “We have obtained a good solution with Rolls Royce and the nice thing about the contract is that of the $50m (GST inclusive) about 80% is being spent with SA subcontractors.”
There was an unexpected challenge. Defence SA was responsible not only for the 40 ha Techport occupied, but for the bulk of State-controlled land on the Lefevre Peninsula, ultimately some 400ha.
“Planning? None had been done. We needed to protect the assets,” Andrew s...
