RSK Group Limited (RSK), a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, announces the addition of innovative infrastructure solutions provider Pensar Infrastructure Group (Pensar) to its family of over 175 environmental, engineering, and technical services businesses. This strategic move will see Pensar join RSK Australia and bolster the Group’s expertise in water and critical infrastructure in the region. Pensar has proven experience in solving complex challenges relating to process water infrastructure, non-process water infrastructure, specialist infrastructure, infrastructure rehabilitation and electrical infrastructure.
With climate change, population growth and ageing infrastructure posing increasing risks to Australia’s communities and industries, it is crucial to ensure adequate water supply and reliable infrastructure. According to the Australian Infrastructure Audit (2019), much of Australia’s water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure is reaching the end of their lifecycles and are no longer fit for purpose, with a majority reaching a substandard state of repair by 2030. Headquartered in Brisbane, Pensar (now part of the RSK Group) will support critical infrastructure needs across government departments, regional and metropolitan councils, and the private sector.
With a projected annual turnover of AU$200 million for the financial year 2023, Pensar is the largest acquisition by the RSK Group outside the United Kingdom. Pensar is the sixth business to join RSK Australia in 18 months, in alignment with the latter’s rapid growth strategy and plans to further strengthen their expertise and increase staff to 2,000 in the next 24 months.
Mark Haydock, Managing Director of RSK Australia, said: “The addition of Pensar to the RSK Group is a major step forward in line with our geographic diversification strategy, which involves bringing like-minded businesses into the group and developing a full suite of environmental, engineering and technical service offerings across each state and territory in Australia. Since our inception in 2021, RSK Australia has acquired six strong businesses that contribute over 10% of the RSK Group’s global revenue – a testament to the opportunities that abound in Australia’s buoyant market. With the combined expertise of Pensar and RSK’s global businesses, including water expert
Binnies and the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence in Singapore, clients will benefit from the latest innovative solutions to meet Australia’s future infrastructure needs.”
A leader in providing innovative infrastructure solutions across Australia, Pensar has worked on numerous projects over two decades for clients such as Unitywater; Department of Defence, Transport and Main Roads – Queensland; Urban Utilities; Brisbane City Council; City of Gold Coast; Hunter Water; TasWater; and WaterNSW, among others.
Among these is the AU$100 million Wamuran Irrigation Scheme – a recycled water scheme involving the construction of a 22-kilometre pipeline network and pumping infrastructure to deliver some 2.6 gigalitres of Class A water per year, providing year-round water security to Wamuran farmers through the reuse of water and diversion of discharge from local river systems. The upgrade for the Cunnamulla Wastewater Treatment Plant saw infrastructure improvements to meet environmental discharge targets, including integrating a medical-grade incinerator, composting facilities and solar panels - a landmark project which raised the bar for water and wastewater infrastructure in regional and rural Australia.
Other recent projects include the Coombabah Cogeneration Plant, an energy-efficient facility that operates on renewable energy, and upgrades for the Boera and Homestead Dams within the Toorale National Park to enable flexible water flow management through the Toorale National Park, supporting environments within and downstream of the park. The Homestead Dam bridge was successfully installed in just 21 days – from foundation to completion – using the innovative, award-winning InQuik bridging system.
Karl Yunker, Managing Director of Pensar, who continues to lead the business following the acquisition, said: “Together, RSK and Pensar have the opportunity to become a world leader in the design and delivery of critical water infrastructure projects, meeting the water security needs of Australia’s dynamic and growing population. We are excited to offer our clients a high level of customer service and deep technical expertise – across a range of sectors – a combination that is unique within the industry.”
Pensar has a presence across Australia, with offices in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Somersby and Hobart. Its 200-strong team of experts include civil, mechanical, electrical and design engineers, as well as estimators, and project and construction managers. Pensar also has over 500 skilled suppliers who are loyal and trusted delivery partners.
