Public invited to attend rural briefings on Westrail outsourcing

14/7/95

The public are being invited to attend a series of briefings in Western Australian country areas on the outsourcing of Westrail civil engineering maintenance services.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said private contractors would be heartened to learn that the infrastructure maintenance to be outsourced was worth up to $40 million annually.

"During the next few weeks senior Westrail executives and officers will attend the briefings and provide all the relevant information needed on private sector participation," Mr Charlton said.

The tenders may include Westrail employees joining private companies contracting for the work and teams of Westrail employees establishing their own businesses on management buy-out schemes.

Mr Charlton said the range of maintenance servicing was extensive and entailed track surfacing, resleepering, general track maintenace and construction and general maintenance of Westrail buildings, bridges, depots and culverts.

These tasks were done presently by Westrail staff and private contractors.

Mr Charlton said the tender process would be managed by Westrail so that preference would be given to those tenderers recruiting local employees and expanding or establishing their business in country locations.

Industry briefings dates and venues:

July 19 - Kalgoorlie - The School of Mines - (10 am-noon)

July 20 - Geraldton - The Geraldton Civic Centre - (10 am-noon)

July 21 - Narrogin - Narrogin Reception Centre - (2.30 pm-4.30 pm)

July 2 - Merredin - Shire of Merredin - (10 am-noon)

July 24 - Northam - McIver House - (2.30 pm-4.30 pm)

July 25 - Albany - The Esplanade Hotel - (2.30pm-4.30 pm)

July 26 - Bunbury - The Lord Forrest Hotel - (2.30pm-4.30 pm)

Registration is required at each venue 30 minutes prior to the briefing and representation is regarded as a precurser to the Registration of Interest for future work.

The Registration of Interest to provide maintenance services to Westrail will be sought from those organisations that can demonstrate; a proven track record, achievement of/or progress towards a certified quality assurance system, financial stability, customer focus and a willingness to establish and develop a partnership relationship.

The briefings will incorporate a video showing the nature and extent of Westrail's infrastructure maintenance requirements, followed by a question and answer session.

Mr Charlton said new opportunities were just around the corner for WA regional businesses to take advantage of Westrail's modernisation program.

Chambers' of Commerce, town and shire councils and business organisations should encourage all interested individuals and groups to attend the briefings.

Media contact:  Ian Hasleby (09) 321 7333