The McGowan Government’s upgrade to the Broome Senior High School will boost the local economy after a Western Australian company was awarded the contract.
Crothers Construction was recently awarded the tender for the $20 million project, which includes a new two-storey teaching block; refurbishments to existing buildings and external landscaping and car parking works.
The project recently commenced and completion is scheduled for late 2020. During the works, almost 360 Western Australian workers will be involved, with more than 200 from within the Kimberley region, including apprentices and trainees.
In a major boost for Kimberley-based businesses, around $10.5 million worth of subcontractor opportunities will be available as part of the project.
Major packages of works include hydraulic, mechanical and electrical services, bricklaying, cabinetry and structural steel work plus various supply of materials such as concrete, windows and doors, providing opportunities for local businesses to be involved in the project.
Under the Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS), Crothers Construction is required to outline how it plans to generate local economic benefits and opportunities to local industry, plus job opportunities including apprenticeships and traineeships, as part of the tender process.
The State Government will monitor Crothers Construction WAIPS commitment throughout the project to ensure the benefits to locals are realised.
A number of measures have already been implemented to maximise local business participation including doubling the maximum regional price preference under the Buy Local Policy to a combined value of $1 million, requiring the shortlisted tenderers to advertise packages of work via local Broome media and the Broome Chamber of Commerce, and offering incentives to tenderers that engage Aboriginal businesses or employ Aboriginal people.
As stated by Minister for Finance Ben Wyatt:
“The opportunities created by the Broome Senior High school project are further proof the McGowan Government is delivering on its commitment to drive economic benefit in regional Western Australia.”
“Not only will the project create local jobs and boost the local economy, it delivers on our commitment to invest in quality infrastructure in public schools across Western Australia.”
As stated by Minister for Education Sue Ellery:
“The upgrades to Broome Senior High School will benefit the local community and provide great learning facilities for our local kids.”
“It is also encouraging that through WAIPS, the upgrades to the schools will be delivered for the Broome community by local Broome based businesses.”
