The McGowan Government has approved new measures to streamline the process for the awarding of contracts for transport construction projects up to a value of $20 million, creating more opportunities for local businesses and protecting local jobs.
The new State-wide Construction Panel Contract will include buying rules, designed to minimise the costs of tendering for companies, and maximise the spread of work among small and medium sized contractors.
Expediting the delivery of road and maritime projects through the new Construction Panel will assist contractors to plan and program works, save time and costs, whilst helping give local businesses certainty and retain local workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Up to $140 million of transport projects will be expedited under the panel, saving jobs and protecting the future contracting capacity of local Western Australian businesses.
It is expected more than 1,000 local jobs across the 24 projects will be brought forward.
The panel arrangements will also be considered for use as future projects come online, to ensure quicker project delivery and provide more opportunities for small to medium sized contractors.
In addition, Main Roads is fast-tracking the tendering process for a number of large-scale road projects, worth $2.37 billion and estimated to create 13,000 jobs.
Projects include:
- Bunbury Outer Ring Road - (budget $852 million) - 4,500 jobs
- Leach Highway Welshpool Road Interchange - (budget $93 million) - 600 jobs
- Stephenson Avenue (Stirling) - (budget $125 million) - 800 jobs
- Fremantle Traffic Bridge - (budget $230 million) - 1,400 jobs
- Roe Highway/Great Eastern Highway/Abernethy Road - (budget $180 million) - 1,200 jobs
- Albany Ring Road (budget $175 million) - 1,000 jobs
- Great Northern Hwy Ord River North Stage 3 & 4 (budget $89 million) - 600 jobs
- Lloyd Street Extension (budget $40 million) - 280 jobs
- Tonkin Highway Gap project (budget $290 million) - 1,050 jobs
- Mitchell Freeway Extension to Romeo Road (budget $215 million) - 1,200 jobs
- Mitchell Freeway Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue widening (budget $76 million) - 530 jobs
- Mitchell Freeway Extension Hester Avenue to Romeo Road - $215 million
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Major projects will be a key part of our economic recovery post the COVID-pandemic.
"It's important we do everything we can to support our local businesses, so they are in the best position to continue to employ West Australians.
"These works will not only support and save local jobs, they will also provide much needed upgrades on road sites across the State."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We understand the devastating impacts COVID-19 has had on industry and are committed to working together to support local businesses and support local jobs.
"The proposed buying rules were underway prior to the current COVID-19 emergency, however given the current climate, they are being amended to further reduce tendering costs and provide more opportunities for local businesses to win Government contracts.
"This new panel will fast track major road and maritime infrastructure projects, worth up to $20 million, to support small and mid-tier businesses and save local jobs."
Main Roads Projects
| Region | Project Description | Anticipated Construction Cost |
| Great Southern | Churchill Rd, Denmark Shire - Widen Bridge over Denmark River | $1,500,000 |
| Great Southern | South Coast Highway - Kojaneerup Passing Lanes | $15,000,000 |
| Metropolitan | Great Northern Highway / Apple Street Construction of Roundabout | $9,000,000 |
| Metropolitan | Wanneroo Road / Morley Drive Intersection Upgrade | $8,000,000 |
| Metropolitan | Great Eastern Highway / Old Northam Road (East) Intersection Upgrade | $13,000,000 |
| Metropolitan | Stock Road / Beeliar Drive Intersection Upgrade | $6,700,000 |
| Metropolitan | Construct PSP - Fremantle Line (Victoria St to North Fremantle Station) | $6,000,000 |
| Metropolitan | Construct PSP - Kwinana Freeway (Leach Highway to Mount Henry) | $12,000,000 |
| Mid West-Gascoyne | Brand Highway / Barrett Road Intersection Improvements, Geraldton | $2,000,000 |
| South West | South Western Highway - Yarloop to Harvey Seal Widening Stage 1 | $2,600,000 |
| South West | South Western Highway - Thompson Hill Curve Realignment | $9,000,000 |
| Wheatbelt | Brookton Highway / Rabbit Proof Fence Intersection Improvements | $1,480,000 |
| Wheatbelt | Great Eastern Highway - Walgoolan to Southern Cross Bridge and Road Works | $13,600,000 |
| Wheatbelt | Great Eastern Highway - Coates Gully: Replacement of 4 Timber bridges with culverts | $7,500,000 |
| Wheatbelt | Bridge Replacement and tie in works | $5,150,000 |
| Wheatbelt | Northam Cranbrook - Shoulder sealing | $3,777,600 |
| Wheatbelt | Collie Lake King Road -Widening and Safety Improvements | $1,660,000 |
| Wheatbelt | York Merredin Road - Seal shoulders (Bruce Rock to Merredin) | $2,823,000 |
| Wheatbelt | Albany Highway - Upgrade of Crossman intersection | $1,950,000 |
| | | $127,740,600 |
Department of Transport - Maritime Projects
| Region | Project Description | Anticipated Construction Cost |
| Wheatbelt | Jurien Bay Boat Harbour Electrical Upgrade | $1,300,000 |
| Metropolitan | Two Rocks Marina Landscaping Works | $800,000 |
| Metropolitan | FFBH - Jetty 3 Replacement (funding allocated in 21-22 to 22-23) | $4,300,000 |
| Pilbara | Onslow Maritime Facility - Community Boating Precinct | $7,500,000 |
| Pilbara | Spoilbank Marina Access Roads | $2,000,000 |
| | | $15,900,000 |
