Macmahon Contractors to set up regional depot at Moora

29/2/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today announced Macmahon Contractors (WA) Pty Ltd was the preferred tenderer for a $23 million Main Roads contract in the Mid-West, Wheatbelt North and metropolitan regions.

Mr Charlton said Macmahon Contractors were prepared to establish a regional depot at Moora and contract details were now being negotiated between the parties.

"State Government policy requires Main Roads to award country contracts on the basis that the successful contractors are willing to establish, or are already set up in the town near to where the work will be carried out," he said.

"The policy when fully enacted will not only attract big road contractors and their workforce to towns and regions, the local sub-contractors will also greatly benefit from these projects."

Mr Charlton said Macmahon was the preferred tenderer to undertake maintenance on roads and verges, minor reconstruction and improvement works and also roadside vegetation control.

"The company has demonstrated a willingness to engage regional-based contractors and local government agencies to assist with the contract," he said.

The Minister said that for the first time in Australia an out-sourcing policy for roads would eventually reap associated linkage benefits for engineers, planners, designers and managers at or near the source of Main Roads projects.

"Main Roads, through its affirmative action, has influenced people to move to the country, encouraged local government and regional business to tender for road contracts and reversed the centralisation policy of the previous Labor administration," he said.

Public notification of the awarding of the contract and its components will be made in early March.

Media contact: Ian Hasleby 321 7333