Perkins Builders has staked its claim in the digital economy, securing a $70 million contract to build four satellite transmission centres across WA as part of the National Broadband Network.
The facilities will be built in Moonyoonooka (near Geraldton), Brown Range (near Carnarvon), Binduli (near Kalgoorlie) and Wagerup in the South West.
Construction will begin in early 2013 and is due to be completed in 2015.
The contract is the biggest Perkins has been awarded to date, topping the $46 million it secured in May for mining company Roy Hill's remote operations centre at Perth airport.
The Bunbury-based construction firm says its order book value now stands at more than $250 million and it anticipates turnover for the 2012-13 financial year will be close to $160 million.
Perkins business development manager Rod Sproule told WA Business News he was “particularly pleased” to have secured the NBN contract following a comprehensive procurement process.
“It’s a major contract for us,” Mr Sproule said.
“We think our experience in regional development got us over the line.”
Mr Sproule said he expected to put 80 to 100 people to work on the project, including contractors.
He was “more than comfortable” that his firm would finish construction of the satellite transmission centres by their 2015 scheduled completion date.
The ground stations will distribute signals from two Ka band satellites launched into orbit as part of the Long Term Satellite Service, a scheme designed to service the most remote areas in the country with high speed broadband.
The estimated $2 billion cost of the LTSS also includes the construction of the facilities and supply and installation of home satellite dishes.
NBN Co says the LTSS will provide broadband to approximately 200,000 homes, farms, schools and businesses.
Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said in a statement that the government was committed to the ongoing construction of the network.
"The awarding of these contracts is another sign the NBN rollout is ramping up across the country,” Senator Conroy said.
“The NBN is on track to have fibre construction commenced or completed for 758,000 homes and businesses by the end of the year.”
The development of the network has been beset by delays, with NBN Co admitting in August that it was months behind schedule.
Contract approvals were also announced for another six satellite transmission centres across Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, with Melbourne-based Cockram Constructions taking the reins.