Council awards two major contracts to local company
Published on 12 February 2016
An important milestone has been reached in Rockhampton Regional Council’s $30 million Riverfront Revitalisation project with the awarding of tenders valued at over $3m to a local company.
JM Kelly was the successful tenderer for the concrete works package and the supply and installation of both sandstone and granite pavers for the reconstruction of Quay Street.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said Council is proud to have a local company win the contracts and come on board as a major contributor for the project.
“The purpose of this project is to stimulate the local economy and a $3 million tender to a local company will do just that,” she said.
“A number of key factors were considered including JM Kelly being an established local company with professional management systems, extensive construction experience and importantly, a competitive price.
“67% of Council’s goods and services are acquired from local suppliers, so this is yet another example of how our local buy policy is paying dividends for our local economy.
“The real icing on the cake is that we get to use our own local sandstone, which is from the same site that built our Customs House.”
JM Kelly Managing Director, Geoff Murphy, said he was excited to be part of a project that is of such importance to the Region and will position Rockhampton’s riverfront as a vibrant community space.
“It’s extremely good news for our company as things are fairly slow at the moment,” Mr Murphy said.
“This has come at a great time for us; it means we can continue to provide ongoing employment for our people.
“Throughout the duration of the contract, we estimate the project for us will involve the equivalent of fifty full time jobs, although not all of these will be onsite,” he said.
The concrete and pavement works along Quay Street, between Fitzroy and William Streets, is expected to commence mid May with a completion time around September 2016.
Mayor Strelow said this works package is an important part of the revitalisation of the area and once complete will give our heritage facades a new lease on life.
Council will continue to keep Quay Street businesses regularly informed throughout the various stages of the project to help minimise the impacts of traffic and pedestrian disruption.