Managing infrastructure projects: Managing risk at every stage

Infrastructure projects are some of the most complex and high-stakes construction activities in Australia and New Zealand. Roads, rail, energy and water upgrades demand huge investments and are often delivered under tight budgets and timelines. Because of the complexity, delays and cost blowouts are a real risk if the details are not managed carefully. We offer equipment hire and relevant services to reduce those risks and to make sure you always have the right equipment and support at each stage of the works, no matter the scale or duration of the project.

Managing budgets with timelines and quality

Many infrastructure projects encounter construction challenges or have to adapt to changing circumstances over long project periods. Terrain and soil conditions may change with conditions. Access routes can open up or become unavailable later. Approvals and stakeholder engagement may take longer than planned, particularly for projects that cross regional and urban boundaries. All these factors can change the project’s need for equipment after the planning stage moves to site construction. Even small hurdles can result in large cost increases when they trigger downtime, lost productivity or additional transport requirements.

Foundations in site and safety planning

The most successful projects start with detailed site planning but are also ready to adapt as conditions change. New directions may be required for unknowns such as the weather, stakeholder feedback or new technology. Thorough surveys of terrain and hydrology, confirming soil and environmental conditions and identifying access for heavy machinery all provide a base for identifying and scheduling the equipment that will be required during the build. Knowing the utilities, such as water, power and temporary facilities, that will be needed and how they will be accessed as site conditions change, is critical for works planning. Having an adaptable structure so that equipment can be brought in and out during works is also key to efficiency for each stage of delivery.
Regulatory and safety requirements must be built into plans early, from permits to environmental protections. A risk assessment at this stage helps site managers ready themselves for variables like weather, access or stakeholder impacts. Project equipment needs to be compliance ready to keep construction works moving consistently and safely.

Right equipment for the right job

Matching the right equipment to site conditions is one of the most effective ways to control cost and improve productivity. Undersized gear causes delays and rework. Oversized machinery drives up transport and fuel costs. Being able to balance the scheduling of equipment on site for when it is needed avoids costly idle resources and wasted time.
We work with site managers to select the right mix of equipment for earthworks, lifting and access gear, traffic management solutions and temporary site sheds and facilities. We also provide site managers with on-hire reports so they can maximise hire equipment efficiencies. We organise site safety compliance and commissioning, making sure regular servicing is completed and, in some cases, even coordinate operators. Our services are set up to respond to project requirements quickly and efficiently to keep project works running as planned.

Integrating across stages and sites

Major infrastructure projects we’re involved in highlight the complexity of managing equipment across multiple locations where construction activities can be in stages and equipment is frequently shifted. Deliveries need to align with each stage of work to avoid idle gear and congesting the site. Storage, transport and demobilisation must be planned carefully to consider the current site circumstances and upcoming tasks.
Technology plays an increasingly important role. Information systems give site managers, including our KMP Project Managers, data on usage, fuel and service needs. Our services for infrastructure projects include comprehensive reporting and stakeholder updates so equipment needs can adapt with the progress of the project. And because infrastructure projects can span years, there is the opportunity to proactively identify new technology solutions that can be used to improve project performance. We discuss upcoming stages with site managers and can source specialised advanced equipment that can be introduced during upcoming stages for reduced costs or improved safety.

Case study: adapting for technology

The Melbourne Metro rail line tunnel infrastructure project had a long planning and construction period spanning 10 years. This provided the opportunity for us to incorporate highly specialised rail threader machinery for the tunnel sections. The innovative machine’s ability to set rails for itself as it tracked through the tunnel resolved significant access and safety issues, making it an ideal solution. Our services are delivered to adapt with long term projects so that clients can take advantage of best value options that are available at the time.

Budgeting with confidence

We provide you with quotes based on experience and research for the equipment needed on site at each stage of an infrastructure project, with no hidden costs. Our KMP Project Managers combine your project brief information with data from previous projects for roads, rail, utilities and building construction to ensure our equipment proposals provide effective and efficient solutions. This results in your budget information being accurate during project planning and construction works.
For the complexity of larger infrastructure projects, we allocate an experienced KMP Project Manager as a point person for all site managers for the duration of project works, providing rapid and effective access to equipment and solutions for efficient deployment and consistency in budget tracking through the project.

Key actions for infrastructure equipment selection

Include equipment hire considerations in preliminary planning so your hire equipment integrates with other site plant and equipment, and construction activities.
Have an adaptable system for equipment so that items required, when they’re needed and how they get used on site can be easily changed to suit changing circumstances.
Make sure safety and environmental compliance is always covered, including regulations or organisational objectives that change during the project.
Establish a robust system for collecting data on equipment usage so you can continually improve how it is deployed on site.

Planning for best equipment results

Managing large infrastructure projects demands discipline, but also flexibility, in planning, equipment selection and cost control. The right equipment selected and correctly deployed on site will deliver gains in performance and improve safety. For infrastructure projects that can mean hundreds of precise equipment procurement tasks over many years.
We’ve established our branch network, equipment hire products and delivery and removal logistics to be able to support the largest national infrastructure projects. From metropolitan motorways to inland rail networks and complex utility construction sites, our capability and experience, including dedicated KMP Project Managers, ensure that your equipment needs are managed right through the project, adapting to deliver the best solutions at each stage.