First private construction contract awarded under infill sewerage scheme

1/9/94

Premier Richard Court today said that more than 1,000 new jobs in the private sector would be created as a result of the Government's massive $800 million Infill Sewerage Program.

Mr Court outlined the new job figures when he announced that Western Australian-owned company Glenn-Stock Contracting had been awarded the first private construction contract under the Infill Sewerage Program.

"Glenn-Stock Contracting currently employs six people and has estimated that it will hire an additional 10 people as well as sub-contract out, resulting in a further five jobs, as a result of their contract in this $1 million project for the suburb of Shelley," he said.

Mr Court said the contract marked the beginning of an historic partnership between the Government and the private sector to make Perth a better place to live.

More contracts would be let shortly, with the value of external contracts to be awarded this financial year estimated at about $74 million.  The contracts for the program would range in value from about $300,000 to about $20 million.

"The $800 million Infill Sewerage Program being undertaken by this Government over the next 10 years is a massive task, equivalent to sewering a city the size of Canberra," the Premier said.

"We will be providing deep sewerage to 80,000 unsewered lots in the metropolitan area and another 20,000 in the country.

"To remain on track for the 10 years, at least three construction contracts will be let each month, and at the height of the project, spending will top $1.5 million a week."

At its peak, as a direct result of the Infill Sewerage Program, there will be about 850 new jobs created in the private sector.  A further 250 new jobs are expected in associated areas such as pipe, equipment and material supplies.

The project is essential to overcome health and environmental risks posed by the 100,000 households with septic tanks and will also assist in the orderly development and redevelopment of many properties throughout the State.

Mr Court said the Glenn-Stock contract for the suburb of Shelley was important to overcome problems with effluent from septic tanks polluting the river.  Properties in the area were low lying, with a high water table, adjoining the Canning River.

He said sewerage reticulation would be provided to 144 residential lots between Leach Highway and the Swan River, with the work expected to take 20 weeks.

Other suburbs being targeted in Year One of the Infill Sewerage Program included Tuart Hill, Yokine, Innaloo, Stirling, Helena Valley, Bedford, Embleton, Morley, South Guildford, Carlisle, East Victoria Park, Bayswater, Nollamara, Gosnells, Wilson, Glendalough, Cloverdale, Cannington and East Cannington, Greenmount, Armadale, Mundaring, Rockingham and Hilton.

Work was already underway at Tuart Hill, Yokine and Innaloo using the Water Authority's Construction Branch, and Mr Court made his announcement today at one of the Innaloo sites, where sewerage reticulation is being provided to 300 residential lots.