MELBOURNE (May 22, 2026) — AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, announced today that Greater Western Water has appointed its Thrive joint venture with Aurecon as planning partner for the utility’s infrastructure planning and delivery program.
For the next five years, Thrive will integrate with Greater Western Water to shape infrastructure investments serving communities in Melbourne’s west. Together with Greater Western Water, Thrive will develop sustainable solutions that balance the demands of rapid growth and plan for essential infrastructure upgrades with complex emerging issues such as climate change and cost-of-living pressures. The joint venture will provide strategic planning across the whole asset life cycle and support Greater Western Water to enhance its internal planning and asset management capabilities.
“We’re proud to be entrusted as a core partner to Greater Western Water for this critical role supporting growth, resilience and water security for communities across Melbourne’s inner west and growing western suburbs,” said Mark McManamny, AECOM’s chief executive of its Australia and New Zealand region. “We’ve brought together the strength of our program management, advisory, asset management and major infrastructure design teams, and we look forward to working side by side with Greater Western Water to deliver on their strategic commitments.”
Infrastructure solutions will span network, treatment and dam assets, aligning with Greater Western Water’s 2030 Strategy objectives, service levels and the long-term growth needs of communities across its service area.
“This partnership plays an important role in shaping how we plan and design infrastructure, bringing strong expertise to support projects across our service area,” said Ian Burton, Greater Western Water’s general manager of asset planning and delivery. “We look forward to working together to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our customers and communities with water and sewerage services that are safe, consistent and resilient.”
The joint venture will collaborate with Greater Western Water as it builds its asset management capability, co-creating solutions that deliver real community benefits for this fast-growing region. The long-term partnership presents an opportunity to embed sustainable development and resilience into infrastructure planning and decision-making.
“Greater Western Water is operating at the forefront of growth, climate pressures and evolving community expectations, requiring a connected, forward-looking approach to planning and investment assurance,” said Paul Ashby, Aurecon’s water client leader for Victoria and South Australia. “The infrastructure program is about building partnerships to meet future demand and deliver more reliable and sustainable outcomes for customers and communities. By working collaboratively, Thrive will combine water industry expertise with digital and advisory capabilities to translate complex challenges into clear, integrated plans. This will help Greater Western Water to embed resilience and long-term value across the asset and water system lifecycle, and we’re delighted to support this work in Melbourne’s west.”
AECOM is committed to supporting water utilities in Victoria with integrated, long‑term infrastructure solutions.
About AECOM
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
About Aurecon
Aurecon is an Asia Pacific design, engineering and advisory company bringing ideas to life to co-create with our clients a better future for people and the planet. With offices spanning 11 locations, Aurecon brings technically excellent, innovative and sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges across over a dozen sectors. Aurecon is regularly recognised for achievements in innovation, sustainability, technical excellence and workplace culture. An owner managed company, we are the trusted partner for complex infrastructure, providing integrated solutions across the entire asset lifecycle. View our history. For more information about Aurecon, please visit www.aurecongroup.com.