2 June 2020
New procedures to minimise the cost of tendering and maximise the spread of work for small and medium construction contractors are expected to bring forward more than 1000 local employment opportunities and 24 projects.
The state-wide Construction Panel Contract aims to simplify the process of awarding contracts for transport construction projects.
Road and maritime projects will be advanced through the new Construction Panel to assist contractors plan and program works, save time and costs, and give local businesses confidence.
Up to $140 million of transport projects will be accelerated under the panel to protect the future contracting capacity of local Western Australian businesses.
The panel arrangements will also be considered for use as future projects come online, to ensure faster project delivery and provide more opportunities for small to medium sized contractors.
Main Roads WA is also fast-tracking the tendering process for a number of large-scale road projects, worth $2.37 billion and estimated to create 13,000 employment opportunities.
Projects include:
Bunbury Outer Ring Road – (budget $852 million) – 4,500 jobs
Leach Highway Welshpool Road Interchange – (budget $93 million) – 600 jobs
Stephenson Avenue (Stirling) – (budget $125 million) – 800 jobs
Fremantle Traffic Bridge – (budget $230 million) – 1,400 jobs
Roe Highway/Great Eastern Highway/Abernethy Road – (budget $180 million) – 1,200 jobs
Albany Ring Road (budget $175 million) – 1,000 jobs
Great Northern Hwy Ord River North Stage 3 & 4 (budget $89 million) – 600 jobs
Lloyd Street Extension (budget $40 million) – 280 jobs
Tonkin Highway Gap project (budget $290 million) – 1,050 jobs
Mitchell Freeway Extension to Romeo Road (budget $215 million) – 1,200 jobs
Mitchell Freeway Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue widening (budget $76 million) – 530 jobs
WA Premier Mark McGowan said major projects will be a key part of the state’s economic recovery.
“It’s important we do everything we can to support our local businesses, so they are in the best position to continue to employ West Australians,” he said.
“These works will not only support and save local jobs, they will also provide much needed upgrades on road sites across the state.”
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the State Government understands the devastating impacts COVID-19 has had on business.
“The proposed buying rules were underway prior to the current COVID-19 emergency, however given the current climate, they are being amended to further reduce tendering costs and provide more opportunities for local businesses to win Government contracts.
“This new panel will fast track major road and maritime infrastructure projects, worth up to $20 million, to support small and mid-tier businesses and save local jobs.”
