Allens advises Netflow consortium on $1.8bn Melbourne roads PPP

Allens has advised the Netflow consortium on its preferred respondent nomination for the $1.8 billion Western Roads Upgrade project.

The project will be the first road development and maintenance contract to be delivered in Australia through an availability-payment-style public-private partnership.

The consortium - comprising Netflow (the Cintra and Plenary joint venture) as project sponsor, WBHO Infrastructure as design and construction lead, and the Amey Broadspectrum joint venture as services contractor - will deliver eight priority road projects, including lane duplication, widening and upgrade works, as well as a maintenance program for a wider network of more than 800-lane-kilometres in Melbourne's western suburbs.

A multidisciplinary team drawing on Allens' expertise in transport infrastructure, banking and finance, tax, corporate and planning and environment advised Netflow on the transaction.

'We are delighted to have worked with Netflow on its first bid in the Australian market – especially on such a unique project,' said Emma Warren, lead partner on the deal and Practice Group Leader, Projects & Development.

'Our work on this deal was a real team effort – both with the client but also within the Allens team drawing across the full range of our expertise.

'It reflects Allens' extensive experience in transport infrastructure, which in recent years has seen us advise procurers, project sponsors, industry participants and financiers on some of Australia's most significant projects.'

The Victorian Government announced Netflow as the preferred bidder on 3 November.

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