Downer awarded new Water contract in Queensland

09/09/2025

Downer EDI Limited (Downer) today announced it had been awarded a new 10-year contract by Urban Utilities to deliver water and wastewater infrastructure in South East Queensland.

Under the contract, Downer will support Urban Utilities in delivering its capital investment program over the next 10 years, alongside two other partners.

The contract commences in September 2025, with an initial term of five years and two extension options of three years and two years.

During the initial five-year term, the parties will scope projects that support Urban Utilities’ strategic plan, with each project subject to a final investment decision and then delivered under a collaborative commercial framework. 

Downer has provided water and wastewater services for Urban Utilities since 2018. Under the new contract, Downer will now support the delivery of capital works for water, wastewater and water treatment assets across Urban Utilities’ network, covering the Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, and Somerset local council regions.

The programs will be delivered under a collaborative, risk-sharing commercial structure. 

The full scope of work includes project management and development, engineering, construction and commissioning of water, wastewater and water treatment assets. 

Downer Chief Executive Officer, Peter Tompkins, said the contract further reinforces Downer’s position as the market leader in water and wastewater services across Australia and New Zealand. 

“This is a significant contract in a rapidly growing sector where our industry-leading expertise sets us apart,” Mr Tompkins said.

“With accelerating population growth, the challenge of maintaining aging infrastructure while scaling water and wastewater services to meet increasing demand underscores the critical need for Downer’s specialist engineering and technical capabilities.

“We look forward to partnering with Urban Utilities to deliver these essential services to the communities of South East Queensland while also ensuring the State is well-prepared to respond to the heightened demand for water and wastewater services leading into the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Urban Utilities Chief Executive Officer, Paul Arnold, said Downer will play a key role in shaping a resilient and sustainable water future for South East Queensland. 

“We’re pleased to announce the planning and delivery partners joining us under a new partnership-style model to deliver our multi-billion-dollar capital investment program,” said Mr Arnold. 

“These contracts have been awarded following a highly competitive process aimed at our continued focus on reducing costs and delivering long-term savings for customers.  

“Our partners bring genuine passion and capability to address some of the biggest challenges our industry has ever faced including a rapidly growing population, aging infrastructure and more frequent extreme weather events."