CONSTRUCTION contractors John Holland and Broad Construction are among the winners from the surge in government and mining company spending on infrastructure in regional Western Australia.
CONSTRUCTION contractors John Holland and Broad Construction are among the winners from the surge in government and mining company spending on infrastructure in regional Western Australia.
During the past month, Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced nearly $300 million worth of new projects and contracts, ranging from regional racing clubs to community centres and new parklands.
John Holland won a $92.3 million contract to develop new infrastructure in the Kimberley region. The contract includes: a $48.5 million upgrade to the Kununurra Education Precinct; a $9 million upgrade to the Kununurra Tafe complex; and more than $32 million in health infrastructure development.
The Town of Port Hedland awarded a $9.55 million construction contract to Broad Construction to redevelop the JD Hardie Centre. The redevelopment includes the addition of offices, meeting rooms, and multi-purpose space, together with a significant upgrade of the existing building.
The lion’s share of funding for the projects has come from the Royalties for Regions program, which was established after the 2008 election.
Through the program, the equivalent of 25 per cent of the state’s mining and onshore petroleum royalties are returned to regional areas each year as an additional investment in projects, infrastructure and community services.
In all, 233 projects across the state also shared in $140 million in funding, partly from Royalties from Regions and partly from other organisations, including BHP Billiton.
These included the Carnarvon One Mile Jetty Interpretive Centre, a purpose-built rescue vessel for the Carnarvon Volunteer Sea Rescue Group, and extensions to Albany Surf Life Saving clubrooms.
Among the other projects announced by Mr Grylls was a $20 million plan to double the population of the Pilbara town of Newman to 15,000.
The Newman Revitalisation Plan was the first step towards ensuring Newman’s long-term economic future and improving the lives of its residents, he said.
The state government hopes the town’s population will grow from its current 6,000 permanent residents and 2,000 fly-in,fly-out residents.A further 16 projects in the Pilbara are set to receive $42 million in funding as part of the Pilbara Cities program.
“These projects address strategic priority areas, including land availability, affordable housing, health, education, community activation, transport and indigenous affairs,” Mr Grylls said.
Projects to receive funding include a new office for the Bloodwood Tree Association’s Training and Employment Centre, and an upgrade to the Hedland Senior High School.
Port Hedland and Kununurra airports are set for substantial upgrades as part of almost $7 million in funding for country airports from the Regional Airports Development Scheme.
A total of 36 airports will share in the funding, which includes $5.5 million from Royalties for Regions.