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Ayr Infrastructure Pty Ltd is a global Infrastructure Development Management group developing sustainable infrastructure in the emerging markets. As Infrastructure Development Managers, we support humanitarian and environmental projects by way of managing a project from inception to completion. Our specialist teams have the qualifications, experience and expertise in arranging development finance, formulating Joint Ventures (JV) partnerships and establishing (PPPs) Public, Private, Partnerships with governments.
With the increasing demand for new infrastructure there is a growing need for infrastructure professionals that have the expertise to manage this complex process. In the past, Governments provided infrastructure funded by taxpayers and should the project made a loss it was not a great concern. However, since the privatisation of these assets, new infrastructure projects have to be commercially viable. This is where AYR’s expertise comes into play.
As an Infrastructure Development Managers, AYR provides master-planning, engineering, environmental and project management. In addition to these services, we can arrange financing for viable projects through our network of financiers. If required, we can also take an equity position in a project.
Our development teams are made up of qualified and experienced infrastructure professionals that are committed to providing innovative solutions to meet the most demanding and complex infrastructure requirements.
The types of infrastructure projects undertaken by Ayr Infrastructure include:
- Transport - highways, toll-roads, bridges etc
- Rail – passenger and bulk
- Ports – harbours and airports
- Energy – electrical and renewable (see AYR Energy)
- Water – supply and treatment
- Community – mass housing, schools and clinics
Mining Infrastructure
With a high international demand for mineral resources especially from China and India together with new exploration areas opening, there is an increasing demand for infrastructure to support these operations. Invariably, these new exploration areas are in remote locations without supporting infrastructure.
AYR Infrastructure Pty Ltd together with major International Engineering Groups have teamed up to provide the management and expertise to deliver these required facilities. We are currently working on several Mining infrastructure projects in Africa and Australia.
Expertise
Our ability is based on our expertise across a broad range of complementary areas:
- Expertise in analysing a range of costs and benefits associated with a new development from a holistic perspective, with methodologies of cost benefit analysis.
- Expertise with the integration of sustainability into a range of project types and scales, from transport to water resources.
- Expertise in the arrangement and procurement of project financing through our association with investors, fund managers, governments, financial institutions.
- Technical expertise across a range of areas related to the technical aspects and construction of new infrastructure, ranging from large to medium scale projects.
- Expertise in aspects of local government policies, the current regulatory systems for approvals and a firm understanding of the process and implementation aspects.
Development Policies
Prior to undertaking a new project, we perform a thorough due diligence on proposed project. This is to identify the potential risks and determine what strategies are needed to reduce the effect of these factors. We take into account the following criteria:
- Preparation of several detailed feasibility studies which are constantly analysed and refined to determine if the project has the ability to meet the targeted return.
- Where a joint venture is involved, we satisfy ourselves that the joint venture partner is compatible and has the ability to add value to the project in question.
- Gain an understanding of other risk factors, such as local government regulations and restrictions, local tax issues, planning and environmental issues, so that we are satisfied that they can be effectively managed.
- During the feasibility stage, we perform a sensitivity analysis by testing a number of possible scenarios to determine their impact on the profitability of the project and their effect on the projected returns.
Our role in an Infrastructure project spans the full cycle from securing opportunities, scoping studies, concept planning, needs assessment, financial analysis, funding (equity and debt), due diligence, engineering and design enhancement, development, project management and where applicable to the operation or sale of the asset.
Securing Opportunities
Being part of AYR Corporation, we are constantly offered Infrastructure opportunities through our international business, the mining and government networks. However, we are very selective as the basic fundamentals have to be in place before we decide to pursue the opportunity. These fundamentals include sovereign risk, currency controls, stable government, investment friendliness, credibility of JV partners etc.
The skills involved in our selection are based on sound knowledge of the local markets and the individuals or organisations which are active within them. We assemble first-hand knowledge of both the subject opportunity and the objectives of our investors or JV partners to ensure the right transaction is made.
Development Management
Assembling an Infrastructure project can be very a complex and time consuming process. A successful outcome requires a careful planning, analysis and knowledge, both in terms of the markets and the process itself. When working on a project, it is essential to align the right team of professionals with skills and knowledge that work together to address each element of the process effectively. Our principal aim is to assist our clients and partners is to create value, minimise the risks and maximise the returns. We achieve this through:
- An understanding the development process
- An understanding the market
- A knowledge of the legal aspects
- Contacts with lending institutions
- Contacts with professional consultants
- Contacts with building contractors and tradespeople
As Managers our role is to analyse the infrastructure project before a final commitment is made to proceed with construction. All development factors are studied in detail, which are addressed by a knowledgeable specialist with extensive experience into the type of project undertaken. This allows us to provide our clients and partners with a realistic assessment of a project’s feasibility, both in terms of planning outcome and from a commercial point of view, including timing and financial projections.
As Development Managers, our role is pivotal in an infrastructure project as we are forced to work within the constraints of the variable market and available resources, and take into consideration the interests of many parties.
Project Management
In addition to Development Management, we provide comprehensive Project Management. These roles overlap during the development process. Whist our Development Managers analyze the development’s potential and then form a strategic framework policies; our Project Management role is to ensure that these policies are delivered by careful planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project’s goals and objectives.
Engineering and Planning
Our directors are made up of professional and qualified engineers, architects, planners and accountants that have a good understanding of the strong correlation between commercial development principles and the technical issues of a new project. The fine line in balancing and combining new technology with commercial principles is fundamental in the success of a development. We focus on creating quality environments that reconcile natural, social, and economic imperatives.
- The Natural Environment – we are committed to Ecologically Sustainable Infrastructure. We apply innovative design and technical strategies, renewable energy and material selection in ways that support the continuity of the natural environment.
- The Social Environment – our pursuit of quality, sustainable environments ensures that human well being is at the core of all design. We value the stimulation and enrichment that comes with engaging successfully with a place.
- The Economic Environment – infrastructure operates within the sphere of a dynamic system of economic forces. Through life cycle analysis, material selection, and technical innovation, we provide solutions that make long-term sense.
Corporate and ownership structures
Infrastructure projects should be based on a solid value foundation. We analyse the type of players, the preferred business models, the market adoption scenarios, the potential market demand, and the most advantageous channel strategies.
Our objective is to safeguard and maximise the development project’s potential whilst minimising conflict between stakeholders. By adopting a proactive approach to pre-empting and structuring both business and financial models, with a focus on adding value, both in financial terms and in the delivery of the project’s goals. The 'set-up' is critical to success.
Before starting a new development, we carefully analyse and determine the type of ownership vehicle and corporate structure that will best suit our development strategies. In the process we consider some of the more pertinent aspects, which can include:
- What are the long-term goals of the development group?
- What control do we want over the development?
- Who will run the daily management activities?
- Which vehicle has the best tax advantages?
- Can the ownership vehicle be transferred to another party?
- Who will be responsible for any losses?
- What are the personal relationships amongst the participants – is it based on self interest and financial ambition?
- Is the structure and/or business model in line with the short and long-term strategy of the development group?
Public Private Partnerships
Since the privatisation of infrastructure around the globe, more and more governments are looking Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). These agreements are widely used to provide enhanced value for money and to advance delivery of essential infrastructure earlier than through normal funding channels. Public Private Partnerships are the best method available to governments to deliver large, complex and expensive projects, achieving significant savings in both time and money.
As experienced Infrastructure Managers, we have the ability and know-how in structuring and modelling PPP agreements with governments, which include:
- Build/Operate/Transfer (BOT) or Build/Transfer/Operate (BTO)
- Build-Own-Operate (BOO)
- Buy-Build-Operate (BBO)
- Design-Build (DB)
- Design-Build-Maintain (DBM)
- Design-Build-Operate (DBO)
- Turnkey
 Past and Current Projects
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