Delivery of Motorway Projects in NSW
Abstract
The Role of the Independent Verifier
The term ‘Independent Verifier’ has come into wide use over the latter part of the last decade, with the term probably originating in the USA. It has been used in the accounting, legal, medical and engineering professions and in a wide variety of industries that include health, chemicals, environmental, nuclear facilities, railway, gambling, government and of course the construction industry. The term ‘Independent Certifier’ has also been used but appears to be losing popularity. The US Department of Environment has a published procedure for independent verification.
In its broadest sense, an independent verifier is a person or organisation, owing no obligations to any of the parties to a contract other than to perform the role of Independent Verifier, who is required to confirm by investigation as necessary, the validity of claims by the parties.
In New South Wales (NSW), most new motorway projects are undertaken by either ‘Design & Construct’ (D&C), ‘Design-Construct-Maintain’ (DCM), "Design-Construct-Operate-Maintain’ (DCOM) or ‘Build-Own-Operate-Transfer’ (BOOT) project delivery methods. For each of these project delivery methods an Independent Verifier or Certifier model has been adopted for administration of the contracts.
Author
Barry Robertson
Sinclair Knight Merz
G. Humphrey
General Manager, Motorway Services; Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW