Mildura Rural City Council is committed to ensuring existing and planned civil construction projects in the municipality continue in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence said while civil construction projects improved services and facilities for the community, they also served a critical role in the economy, particularly in the current economic climate.
"As one of the largest organisations in our region, and with a large capital works program, we're certainly aware of the role we play as a major source of construction activity, both internally and through the many local contractors and suppliers that we work with," Cr Clemence said.
"The local government civil construction sector is vital, not just for our local economy, but across Victoria.
"It's a major driver of jobs and economic stimulus.
"With this in mind, we're determined to push ahead with all of our existing and planned capital works projects over the coming 12 months within the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines set out by our State and Federal Governments.
"That means you'll see us continue to advertise for civil construction project tenders, we'll continue with projects that are currently under way or planned, ensuring employment opportunities for the civil construction sector."
Councillor for Economic Development and Tourism Mark Eckel said the ongoing work at the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP) was a prime example of the critical role civil construction projects play in our region's economy.
"From the outset, as one of our Mildura Future Ready projects, the MSRSP was aimed at stimulating jobs and economic growth in our region," Cr Eckel said.
"While we could never have foreseen the current circumstances when developing this project, the many jobs it has already created - and is sustaining - during the construction phase is serving a vital role during these tough times."
Cr Eckel said the MSRSP has already created work for seven different contractors, and in the first three months of construction alone has resulted in more than 5000 hours of paid employment on-site, and 75 site inductions. The precinct is projected to generate 219 jobs during construction and more than $77.5 million in regional stimulus once completed.
The Mayor said other examples of projects currently under way or on the horizon included road shoulder reconstruction works at Merrijig Road Red Cliffs, drainage repair works in Ninth Street, road re-sealing and road-marking in Etiwanda Avenue and in Tenth Street, and the footpath renewal program.
Other projects include the Murrayville library, Aero Ovals sporting pavilion, Mildura Waves change room upgrades and Merbein Hub building upgrades.
The building and construction sector can keep up-to-date with new civil construction projects by visiting www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Council/Tenders
