Deal: DLA Piper assisted the design and construction contractors – forming part of the Spark Consortium – on successfully reaching financial close on its $11.1 billion North East Link Primary Package PPP. It is the largest in Australia.

Value: $11.1 billion.

Area: Transport, construction.

Key players: The team was led by finance and projects partner Jonathan Stafford, who was assisted by solicitor Grace Powell. They were supported by partners Alex Regan, John Gallagher, Onno Bakker and José de Ponte, senior associate Victoria Brockhall, and solicitors Joanne Lim, Katherine Keene and Claire Robertson.

Deal significance: The multinational Spark Consortium – which includes Capella Capital, John Laing, DIF, Pacific Partnerships, and Ventia, in addition to Webuild, CPB Contractors, GS Engineering and Construction, and China Construction Oceania – was selected as the preferred bidder for the North East Link Primary Package PPP and achieved financial close recently.

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The design and construction contractors are responsible for the 6.5km three-lane road tunnels and key interchanges to be delivered under a “first of its kind” incentivised target cost regime embedded within a PPP.

Commenting on the deal, Mr Stafford said: “It has been a privilege advising the design and construction contractor on such a transformational project for Melbourne, and one of Australia’s most significant PPPs to date. Congratulations to all of the parties involved in achieving this great outcome.”