Infrastructure

We have an extensive track record of providing valuable support to rural development and urban infrastructure assistance programmes around the world

Our services include investment analysis, public-private partnerships, project/facilities design, project management and risk management. 

We also have a strong history of trialling and adopting innovative new approaches to water management, especially at the community level. This includes developing the first trapezoid irrigation canal in the Afghan central highlands, developing three different types of small irrigation dams in Afghanistan with a return on investment of less than two years and utilising drip irrigation methods to conserve water and improve crop yields. We have also been involved in urban planning, renewable energy projects and numerous construction projects for small scale specialised structures.

Specific capabilities

Our core focus is developing infrastructure assets that are fit for purpose, tailored to client needs and the operating environment.

♦ Needs analysis and design

♦ Economic/financial analysis

♦ Feasibility studies

♦ Project management

♦ Supply logistics

♦ Asset operationalisation including workforce training

♦ Risk management, including in fragile and conflict affected situations

We have also been involved in urban planning and renewable energy projects.

Past work includes:

♦ Managing the rehabilitation and upgrade of Koronivia Research Station, a state-owned research farm in Fiji, between 2016 and 2019, including the design, procurement and construction of a comprehensive capital works programme – from roading and drainage upgrades to pasture development.

♦ Training and mentoring staff at a state-owned power company in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, to ensure they had sufficient capabilities to maintain and operate a 1.0-megawatt solar power generation facility, with associated distribution lines, as part of the Bamyan Renewable Energy Project (2014-2017).

♦ Contracted by ADB to design interventions aimed at improving water security across Afghanistan’s water-challenged provinces, i.e., developing a framework, strategy and guidelines for the implementation of several sub-projects to modernise existing community-based irrigation schemes, demonstrate climate-resilient farming approaches and support farmer communities to increase the efficiency of their irrigation systems in terms of water and energy use; 2020-2021.

♦ Led the design and construction of 20 low-cost dams in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, designed to be built and maintained by farmer groups with little external assistance, with the aim of improving water resource availability for irrigation (after a year of improved irrigation, farmers saw an average increase in crop income of 51 per cent and an average payback period of less than one year); 2013-2014. 

♦ Overseeing the construction of a 3.6-kilometre trapezoid concrete channel in Bamyan, Afghanistan, which improved water efficiency for six villages. The channel’s concrete turnouts allow efficient water use and its pedestrian crossing points protect the structure’s integrity. It also features 22 dedicated washpoints along the length of the canal, which were included at the suggestion of local women.

♦ Managing the design, procurement and supervision of the construction of a 600-metric tonne capacity bioclimatic storage warehouse and potato packhouse in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan in 2013 – still run entirely by a farmer-owned potato grading and marketing cooperative (the first of its kind in Afghanistan). Situated on a one-hectare site, a suite of capital works was required for the packhouse including extensive site levelling, roading, fencing, utility installation and drainage. In addition, packing and processing equipment, sourced from New Zealand, was shipped to the port of Karachi and then transported by road to the construction site, where it was assembled and successfully commissioned and operator training provided.

♦ Assisting the Fisenge Dairy Business Union Cooperative in Luanshya, Zambia with the establishment of a milk processing centre. Tasks included developing a viable business case, construction and fitout, purchasing and installing equipment, training staff and developing a brand. Fitout and equipment installation for an onsite milk quality testing laboratory was also completed.

♦ Designing and constructing a purpose-built milk collection centre for the Liteta Dairy Cooperative Union in Liteta, Zambia. Fitout and commissioning was undertaken following construction completion.

♦ Completing feasibility studies and developing design blueprints, including engineering specifications, for 10 national Agricultural Industrial Parks in Afghanistan.

♦ Detailed design for a commercially-viable integrated sheep farming enterprise in the United Arab Emirates, completed following an initial feasibility study. The detailed design included technical specifications and design drawings. It also included the farm size, layout, location, properties and construction requirements – and animal husbandry requirements.

♦ Developing a slaughterhouse business model suitable for conditions in Mongolia and providing technical assistance on good management practices for livestock slaughter.

♦ Contributing to the design and preparation of urban development projects for the Republic of Uzbekistan.

♦ Demolition supervision and redesign of an emergency warehouse facility for Philippines Red Cross (PRC) in Tacloban, Eastern Visayas for PRC and NZ MFAT 2023.