Suzy Cairney

Suzy worked with PWC to help build the new Alliance Airlines Rockhampton Aircraft Maintenance Facility, at Rockhampton airport in Queensland.  Alliance Airlines intended to centralise its aircraft maintenance worldwide at this facility, making the project urgent due to the COVID crisis.  The works included building a hanger, a technical annex, a car park an apron and a taxiway, plus utility supply and consequential alterations to surrounding infrastructure.  Prepared heads of agreement for a Development Agreement, and drafted, negotiated and finalised the Development Agreement, a Lease, and apron licence and an Operational Agreement with Rockhampton Regional Council. The Facility is now leased from Rockhampton Regional Council (the airport’s owner) to Alliance Airlines for 30 years. The project is worth around $60 million and created up to 225 jobs.  Also drafted and negotiated the construct only contract with BMD for the Council Works, a consultancy agreement with GHD and drafted and negotiated a D&C contract with Ahrens for the hanger and related works, as well as a complicated Superintendent’s Agreement covering both the construct only and D&C contracts. Also assisted client with various novation issues and applying for NAIF grant funding and provided a risk workshop to the project team.

Suzy worked with partner firm Ochre Legal, advising Burdekin Shire Council in Queensland on a world-first pilot commercial bioremediation project to treat wastewater from a sewage treatment plant using algae, which will be harvested to form an independent revenue source.  The algae remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater, meaning the water being discharged poses a much-reduced risk of damage to the Great Barrier Reef.  A subsidiary of the owner of the intellectual property has built and will operate the facility, which is being supplied by Council’s existing Ayr sewage treatment plant, for up to ten years, alongside a custom algae processing plant.  Key issues for Council included ensuring that the existing water discharge licence terms are met.

Suzy advised Risen Energy Australia on its bid to be the EPC contractor on the proposed solar farm project at Woolooga in Queensland.  The project was worth around $240 million and included a four-year O&M Agreement. Advised on tendering strategy, drafting and negotiating amendments to the EPC Contract with SPV developer, and drafting and negotiating the pass-through documents to the construct only subcontractor.

Suzy advised Port of Townsville on the Queensland dredging project that aims to future proof the client’s business by giving it the capacity to deal with more and larger vessels.  This $193 million project involves widening of the shipping channels to accommodate larger ships, and the reclamation of an additional area of land that will eventually allow for more berths to be built.  This is the vital first stage of works under the $1.64 billion Townsville Port Expansion. Regularly travelling to Townsville to support the client on this important project, deliverables included preparing four separate draft RFTs to work with various contract formats (ie one wet hire contract, one dry hire contract, one charter party, two purchase contracts etc).  Also prepared and advised on one complex dredging and reclamation services contract and all related tender documents and have supported our client through the tender phase. Prepared a construct only contract for related earthworks, and various contracts for supply of rock for the reclamation area bund wall.