Four local building companies have won the first batch of contracts to be awarded by the state government under its $265 million ‘Year 7’ building program.
Pyramid Constructions has won a $6.4 million contract to build a Year 7 block at Rossmoyne Senior High School, while Firm Construction has been awarded a similar $7 million contract at Shenton College.
Esslemont Cockram Construction has a $4.3 million contract to build a Year 7 facility at Carine Senior High School, while BGC Construction has a $3.3 million contract at Wanneroo Senior High School.
The government has identified 29 secondary schools that will receive new or upgraded facilities to accommodate Year 7 students from 2015.
Department of Education acting executive director of infrastructure, Milan Trifunovic, said construction work was already under way at Broome Senior High School and the new secondary school in Byford, where the Year 7 works have been incorporated into existing capital works programs.
Badge Constructions was awarded a $15.3 million contract early this year for an art centre and Year 7 learning block at Broome, while PS Structures won a $30 million contract last year for works at Byford.
“Year 7 projects at other schools are either in the final stages of contract documentation or at tender assessment,” Mr Trifunovic said.
“Capital works for Year 7s have been incorporated into larger projects at a number of schools such as Baldivis Secondary College Stage 2, Butler College Stage 2, Halls Head Community College Stage 2, Banksia Grove Senior High School Stage 1, and the redevelopment of Willetton Senior High School.
“Contracts are being awarded progressively from June 2013 through to October 2013.”
Mr Trifunovic said a number of schools would receive refurbishments of existing underutilised spaces or transportable classrooms to accommodate Year 7 students.
The overall program is valued at $265 million, including professional fees, contracting and compliance costs, and contingencies
In other recent tendering news, BGC Construction has been awarded a $3.9 million contract to build a community services and health sciences block at Great Southern Institute of Technology.