Fast-tracked tendering of about $2.5 billion worth of infrastructure projects, announced today by the State Government, will provide an important economic boost and help offset reduced activity in private sector construction, Western Australia’s peak civil construction body says.

Civil Contractors Federation WA CEO Andy Graham said Main Roads’ new Statewide Road Construction Panel, which would be used to procure a range of projects up to $20 million in value, would greatly assist in getting these projects underway quickly.

“This will help the contractors involved to maintain continuity of operations and keep Western Australians employed,” Mr Graham said.

“Main Roads conceived this panel last year before anyone had heard of the coronavirus, but it’s certainly going to help them respond. The panel structure will allow tendering to be streamlined, cutting red tape when it’s most needed, while keeping the process fair and competitive to ensure value for money.

“For the larger projects in the pipeline, we applaud the State Government’s move to try and accelerate environmental and other approvals. While these approvals are of course necessary, they sometimes take far too long, especially when both State and Federal approvals are required.”

Mr Graham said the industry was encouraged by comments from Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge this week that the Federal Government is considering more funding for transport projects in order to provide an employment boost that will help compensate for the slowdown in residential and commercial building construction.

“A recent nationwide survey of CCF Members showed that 90% had some spare capacity, mainly as a result of private sector projects being deferred by the COVID-19 crisis,” he said.

“All Governments understand that right now is a great opportunity to utilise that capacity in the civil construction sector to provide jobs and economic activity, while building infrastructure that boosts our productivity and quality of life.”

Projects include:

• Bunbury Outer Ring Road - (budget $852 million)
• Leach Highway Welshpool Road Interchange - (budget $93 million)
• Stephenson Avenue (Stirling) - (budget $125 million)
• Fremantle Traffic Bridge - (budget $230 million)
• Roe Highway/Great Eastern Highway/Abernethy Road - (budget $180 million)
• Albany Ring Road (budget $175 million)
• Great Northern Hwy Ord River North Stage 3 & 4 (budget $89 million)
• Lloyd Street Extension (budget $40 million)
• Tonkin Highway Gap project (budget $290 million)
• Mitchell Freeway Extension to Romeo Road (budget $215 million)
• Mitchell Freeway Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue widening (budget $76 million)