Request for expressions of interest, deadline 4th August, 2005 for reverse osmosis desalination plant and ancillary work consisting of tunnels, ocean intakes and outlets, pumping stations and distribution infrastructure. The underground works involve tunnels of between 3 m and 4 m diameter with a total length of 10 km to 20 km, and which may need to be constructed in up to four concurrent sections to meet the construction time frame; smaller tunnels that may require microtunnelling and directional drilling; and ocean inlet and outlet works and associated tunnels of between 3 m and 4 m diameter with lengths of 1 km to 2 km. Visit www.sydneywater.com.au or https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/sydneywater or contact Sydney Water, Sydney, fax +61 293504321. E-mail mike.watts@sydneywater.com.au 29/05.The Blue Water joint venture, consisting of John Holland and Veolia Water, will design, construct, operate and maintain the Sydney desalination plant for 20 years. John Holland's interest in the project is valued at approximately AUD600 million out of a AUD960 million contract. The project includes microtunnelling in residential areas, an intake tunnel between the sea and the screening facility, and an outlet tunnel between the filtration and reverse osmosis facilities and the sea. The intake tunnel is 2,579 m long, 4,150 mm bored diameter and 3,400 mm finished internal diameter. The outlet tunnel is 2,579 m long, 4,100 mm bored diameter and 3,400 mm finished internal diameter. A 14 m TBM burial chamber will be constructed for each tunnel. Two double shield hard rock Herrenknecht TBMs will be used. Launch tunnels for the TBMs will be excavated using a Mitsui S200 roadheader. Click here. Visit www.johnholland.com.au and www.herrenknecht.com 12/08.