Allens has advised the Spark Consortium (WeBuild, GS E&C, CPB Contractors, China Construction Oceania, Ventia, Capella Capital, John Laing, DIF and Pacific Partnerships) on the successful close of Australia's largest Public Private Partnership (PPP), North East Link.
'Pulling this deal together has required open and collaborative dialogue between the public and private sectors. Not only is this the largest PPP in Australian history, it has been procured against the backdrop of the shifting sands of the pandemic and then closed electronically. The number of 'firsts' achieved on this project is mind-blowing,' said lead Partner David Donnelly.
The $11.1bn North East Link PPP provides three-lane twin tunnels that will complete the missing link in Melbourne's freeway network. The project will reduce congestion in the north-east while maintaining local roads for local trips, with up to 135,000 vehicles utilising this new public asset every day.
'The project will be delivered by a truly international team – including the largest construction joint venture ever pulled together in Australia. Getting to that outcome required great vision and leadership from the private sector and an innovative and outcomes-focused mindset from the Victorian government. It's a fantastic collaboration.'
We congratulate Spark and the North East Link project team on reaching this milestone.
