- 01Verbrec wins ~$22m in water contracts across Australia and NZ.
- 02NZ wastewater upgrade worth ~$12.3m; Australian projects total $9.6m.
- 03Water revenue rose to 21% of FY26 total.
Verbrec (ASX: VBC) has secured approximately $22 million in water and wastewater infrastructure contracts across Australia and New Zealand since the start of the 2027 financial year.
The largest award is a New Zealand wastewater treatment plant upgrade worth about A$12.3m, alongside a further A$9.6m in electrical, control and automation work across four Australian states.
The contracts extend into FY28, broadening the engineering group’s exposure to water infrastructure after its acquisition of Alliance Automation in December 2025.
Water-sector revenue grew from 7% of Verbrec’s total in the 2025 financial year to 21% in 2026, reflecting a growing role for the business in the sector.
New Zealand Headworks
Horowhenua District Council has selected Verbrec as principal contractor to design and build new headworks at the Levin Wastewater Treatment Plant in New Zealand.
The lump-sum contract is valued at NZ$15.1m before goods and services tax, with completion scheduled about 16 months after award.
The project covers process equipment, pumping infrastructure, grit chambers, and associated buildings, together with electrical systems, instrumentation, and controls.
Verbrec will oversee design, procurement, construction management, and commissioning, working with established New Zealand partners on civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical construction.
The headworks form the first stage of upgrades envisaged at Levin, where the council has signalled a multi-year investment program.
Australian Utility Projects
The remaining A$9.6m of awards has been secured by Verbrec and its wholly owned Alliance Automation business from water utilities, local authorities and head contractors.
In South Australia, the work includes switchboards and control panels for an upgrade to a major Murray River water-transfer asset serving Adelaide, plus electrical packages for water storage and wastewater infrastructure.
Queensland contracts encompass drinking-water chlorine monitoring, ongoing maintenance of water-network electrical and control systems and upgrades to pump stations and reservoirs.
Other awards cover a reservoir pump station upgrade in western Sydney and a metropolitan pump station control-system upgrade in Victoria.
Many of the Australian projects were won through framework agreements, standing panels and established customer relationships, providing a recurring source of work.
Water Infrastructure Growth
Verbrec is targeting growing investment in water infrastructure as ageing assets, population growth and regulatory requirements drive upgrades across Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand councils have identified an estimated NZ$47.9 billion of water infrastructure investment over 10 years, while South Australia’s 2024–28 water regulatory determination provides for $3.3 billion in net capital spending.
The group combines engineering, construction and asset-management capabilities with Alliance Automation’s industrial automation and operational technology services, including around-the-clock support.
Its work in hand for the remainder of the current financial year remains in line with management expectations and the revenue guidance issued in July.
While the Levin contract warrants individual disclosure, Verbrec considers the other Australian awards collectively significant rather than individually material.
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