Local government professionals in Victoria will have access to a best practice framework for developing and delivering major infrastructure projects in a new guide launched today by Maddocks and EY.

Major Projects Guidance for Local Government is the only guide of its type designed specifically for local governments in Victoria. It offers comprehensive advice on procurement models and funding arrangements alongside best practice project and contract management for major development and infrastructure builds in Victoria. A project with a capital value of $30 million or more may be regarded as a major project.

First published a decade ago, the 2024 version features practical case studies and insights from the construction and infrastructure specialists at Maddocks and EY on how to manage the life cycle of a project including with advice on :

• Project management and resources
• Governance and probity
• Use of external advisers
• Risk management
• Benchmarking and stakeholder engagement and
• Legal requirements.

Maddocks’ Construction & Projects Partner Simone Holding said the Major Projects Guidance offers valuable advice at a crucial time when major infrastructure delivery faces increasing challenges at the local government level:

“Budgetary pressures and ongoing community expectations make it essential for projects to be meticulously planned and delivered more efficiently and effectively. Our guidance sets out a best practice procurement framework for large scale projects, taking into account local governments’ unique financial, legislative and political constraints.”

EY Infrastructure Partner Darrin Grimsey said a range of options to assist local councils plan and implement projects in a structured manner ensures it meets the needs of each Council and takes into account the complexity, scale and cost of a project:

“There is no one size fits all solution to the procurement of local government infrastructure. The various options in the guidance enables resources to be applied efficiently so as to deliver good project outcomes to local communities.”

View the publication here.