The challenge
In high-value, multi-stakeholder infrastructure projects with sensitive environmental considerations, embedding early and consistent probity principles is essential.
Northern Water is a major infrastructure initiative designed to deliver a climate-independent water source to support industrial growth in South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf and Far North. The project involves the construction of a large-scale desalination plant and approximately 400 kilometres of pipeline to connect key regions and industries.
Given its scale, strategic importance, and multi-phase procurement activities, the project required rigorous probity oversight. The involvement of multiple stakeholders, interconnected projects, and sensitive environmental considerations heightened the need for clear governance and consistent application of probity principles.
The key challenge was ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability across all procurement stages while managing complex organisational and individual conflicts of interest, particularly in relation to closely linked projects and stakeholders.
How we helped
Delivering pragmatic probity advice during an active procurement
OCM delivered ongoing pragmatic, real-time probity advice throughout the active procurement phases, ensuring risks were appropriately managed at all stages of the complex procurement.
We undertook a detailed review of procurement documentation to ensure integrity, consistency, and alignment with required standards. This was complemented by the development and monitoring of contractor probity management plans, tailored to the complexity and risk profile of the project.
OCM conducted targeted probity briefings for project teams, subject matter experts, and industry stakeholders to reinforce expectations around ethical conduct, confidentiality, and appropriate engagement.
We actively monitored conflict-of-interest declarations, supported the development of mitigation strategies, and provided practical advice to manage both individual and organisational conflicts, particularly where projects or stakeholders were closely linked.
Importantly, OCM provided responsive, day-to-day probity advice, ensuring that emerging issues were addressed promptly and consistently, enabling the project team to progress procurement activities with confidence.
Results that matter
Fostering a culture of best-practice probity behaviours
Our work strengthened governance, enhanced transparency, and embedded a culture of best-practice probity across a complex infrastructure program. These foundations ensured that decision-making processes were robust, well-documented, and defensible.
The project team was supported to manage conflicts of interest effectively, with tailored mitigation strategies reducing both actual and perceived risks. Consistent probity guidance also improved the quality and integrity of stakeholder engagement, reinforcing expectations around confidentiality and ethical conduct.
As a result, the client was able to progress complex procurement processes with confidence, demonstrating compliance, fairness, and transparency in a high-profile and strategically significant project environment.
Our people
