WITH billions spent on local infrastructure during the past two years, and $24 billion in fresh government investment forecast for the next four, infrastructure development has proven a boon for the state’s engineering and construction contractors.
Not surprisingly, the biggest winners have been the nation’s largest contracting groups, often in multi-party alliances given the scale and complexity of some of the work on offer.
The newly completed $705 million Perth-Bunbury Highway, for example, was built by the so-called Southern Gateway Consortium, comprising Leighton Contractors, GHD Consulting and WA Limestone.
Leighton, the biggest contracting group operating in WA (see Book of Lists page 24), in partnership with Indigenous Business Australia, was also this month awarded the first major construction contract for the $220 million Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project.
Associated contracts for the Ord project have also been awarded to Ertech and Fleetwood for work on the proposed workers accommodation village at Kununurra.
Similarly, the multi-national Southern Seawater Alliance, which includes major Australian group Worley Parsons, is managing construction of the $955 million Binningup desalination plant due for completion next year.
Meanwhile, Len Buckeridge’s BGC group is building the landmark $536 million Perth Arena multi-purpose stadium in the city.
Investment in roads has also proved lucrative for big firms such as Macmahon Contractors, which recently completed the $100 million Reid Highway extension, and smaller regional groups such as Southern Roads Services, which has won several highway upgrade contracts in the South West.
