Downer EDI wins $94M contract for northern NSW construction

NBN Co has awarded a contract to Downer EDI Engineering Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Downer EDI Limited, to provide additional construction capacity for the rollout of the NBN in northern NSW.

The contract is valued up to $94 million over two years, with two one-year options to renew.

NBN Co Chief Operating Officer, Ralph Steffens said: “Today’s announcement means more construction workers rolling out more fibre to more homes and businesses.”

Mr Steffens said he expected today’s announcement to be the first in a series of contract awards over coming months as NBN Co ramps up construction activity. The company has previously noted it plans to add more construction resources over time to meet the needs of its expanding rollout program.

“We have now established key contract terms and conditions to allow us to streamline the process of engaging new contractors as the pace of work accelerates,” said Mr. Steffens.

Under the contract announced today, Downer will be responsible for the rollout of the passive network from the fibre access node (FAN) all the way to the box outside the home ready to connect to the network when the occupants order a service from their chosen provider.

Downer, a leading Australian engineering and infrastructure management services company, also recently signed a contract worth up to $66 million with NBN Co for design and construction services covering residential apartments and flats in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

The contract was awarded following a select tender process, and its value is within the Corporate Plan targets.

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Notes to Editors

• The latest contract adds to the list of companies NBN Co has contracted with to construct the local and distribution network so far: Visionstream - Tasmania; Syntheo (a Lend Lease/Service Stream joint venture) - NT, SA, WA; Transfield - Victoria; Silcar - NSW, Qld and the ACT.
• The Government’s objective is for NBN Co to rollout fibre optic broadband, designed to offer its Retail Service Provider customers wholesale download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second*, to 93 per cent of Australian premises by June 2021.
• The remaining premises are expected to receive high-speed broadband via fixed-wireless or satellite.
• NBN Co is a wholesale company, and those wishing to switch their phone and internet to the National Broadband Network need to speak to their telephone or internet service provider. These are listed at wwww.nbnco.com.au/serviceproviders
• For more information visit www.nbnco.com.au

* NBN Co is designing the NBN to be capable of delivering these speeds to NBN Co’s wholesale customers (telephone and internet service providers). Speeds actually achieved by retail customers (end users) will depend on a number of factors including the quality of their equipment and in-premises connection, the broadband plans offered by their service provider and how their service provider designs its network to cater for multiple end users

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