Benchmark Projects, project manager of the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has won the Western Australian section of the national Australian Institute of Project Management awards.
Mandurah Ocean Marina is an integrated marina, residential, commercial, tourism and recreational development located in Mandurah.
The marina is being developed by LandCorp, and managed by the City of Mandurah, with the State Government providing $60 million for the marina’s infrastructure.
Curtin University’s Institute for Research into International Competitive-ness predicts the marina will create more than 600 full-time jobs and generate about $900 million in economic activity (in 2002 dollars) in the Peel region over a 20-year timeframe.
Benchmark Projects managing director Chris Carman said outsourcing the project management of a development of this scale to Benchmark Projects was a significant first for LandCorp.
“Benchmark Projects was able to negotiate with all user groups to resolve past issues of conflict and come to an agreement on a revised plan for the marina within an impressive 12 months,” he said.
Mr Carman said Benchmark overcame significant challenges during the award-winning project through the employment of best practice and innovative solutions. These included the continued availability of the adjacent aquatic environment for the $50 million fishing industry and recreational users during construction, facilitating the amalgamation and relocation of the local sailing and fishing clubs, de-watering and decontamination of the site, and successful relocation of bird and marine life.
In 2004, Mandurah Ocean Marina was named Australian marina of the year, and in 2003 the project was declared a winner in two categories of WA’s environmental awards for civil construction projects.
It was also recognised for its accessibility to all sections of the community.
This year, Benchmark Projects secured the WA award ahead of the Phase 3A Harpoon Missile System upgrade to the ANZAC frigate fleet. Suncorp Metway Ltd won the national title.
