Drum Advisory


Projects

The following is an overview of contracting and infrastructure projects in which Nick has had a major role whilst employed in the Victorian public service. Details on the projects and the role played by Nick are provided in his CV, available on request.
From 2009 to 2014 Nick led the Victorian Treasury's interests in alliancing and traditional contracting. This involved infrastructure projects and service contracts in the water, road and rail sectors. Example projects include:
  • Mitcham, Rooks and Springvale Grade Separation Projects (3)
  • Burke Rd Glen Iris, North Rd Ormond, Main Rd St Albans and Blackburn Rd, Blackburn level crossing removals (4)
  • Melbourne Water's and South East Water’s strategies for the delivery of their Capital Programs (2)
From 2007 to 2012 Nick represented the Victorian Treasury's interests, including advising Cabinet, on major water projects being delivered in response to Victoria’s 11 year drought. This included the preparation of the business case, governance structures and procurement strategy for the $2 billion renewal of the Goulburn Murray irrigation system and other. Example projects include:
  • Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (Stages 1 & 2)
  • North South (Sugarloaf) Pipeline
  • Eastern Treatment Plant Tertiary Upgrade
  • Murray Goulburn Interconnector
  • Melbourne Geelong Interconnector
From 2004 to 2007 Nick led the development and implementation of procurement strategies for a range of whole-of-Victorian-government supply contracts in categories such as administrative services, electricity, fuel, travel etc. Nick introduced in Victorian Government the strategic sourcing methodology through a pilot program that achieved an average 10% saving on previous contract prices (an outcome normalised in subsequent supply contracts). Examples of whole-of-government supply contracts concluded include (worth in excess of $100M pa):
  • Fuel and Associated Products
  • Travel Management & Air Travel Carrier (2)
  • Stationery and Office Products
  • Security Services
  • IT and Administrative Staffing Services
  • Retail Electricity Supply to >160 Mwph Government Sites
  • Retail Electricity Supply to <160 Mwph Government Sites
  • Probity Practitioners Panel
  • Retail supply of natural gas
From 1995 to 2004 Nick worked on a range of public-private partnership projects, including telecommunications, roads (East Link), water and urban re-development. In 2000 he became head of the Partnerships Victoria projects delivery group (leading a team of 11 Treasury officers). During this time he oversaw directlythe execution of 12 PPP contracts and was substantially involved in many others. Example projects include:
  • East Link (Mitcham-Frankston Freeway Project)
  • Film and Television Studio at Docklands
  • Emergency Alerting System
  • Metropolitan Mobile Radio
  • Mobile Data Network
  • Barwon Water Biosolids Black Rock Treatment Plant
  • Echuca/Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Enviro Altona
  • Royal Melbourne Showgrounds Redevelopment
  • Ballarat and Creswick Reclaimed Water Project
  • Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Wide Area Network (VicOne)
  • Electronic Service Delivery (Maxi)
  • (Various urban redevelopment contracts for the Docklands)
Between 1986 and 1995 Nick was involved in managing property negotiations, traditional construction projects and leading on policy development in educational facilities (schools and TAFE). A key focus was successfully linking project planning to user needs within budget limits. Example projects include:
  • negotiations resulting in acquisition of the Holeproof site in Box Hill, the former Kingswood College (Donvale) and National Safety Council Authority (In Liquidation) 
  • the subsequentcapital redevelopment of the above sites as TAFE campuses 
  • Construction of Haddon Storey Building at RMIT University 
  • New campus of Casey College of TAFE at Berwick