SW businesses have benefited from work on centre at TAFE in Bunbury

19/2/98

South-West sub-contractors and suppliers have greatly benefited from construction work on the industrial skills development centre at the South West Regional College of TAFE in Bunbury, according to Works Minister Mike Board.

He said sub-contractors and suppliers in the Mandurah and South-West region had completed more than 70 per cent of work on stage one of the centre.

This represented more than $1.2 million of the $1.68 million construction contract, which was awarded to JM and ED Moore last October.

The range of work completed by local sub-contractors included cartage, electrical works, mechanical services, painting, plumbing, roadworks, roofing and roof plumbing.

Local suppliers provided concrete safety equipment, crane hire, fixings and minor supplies, pest control and roofing supplies.

Mr Board said construction of the industrial skills development centre was another success story of the State Government's contracting out process.

"Like many of the major builders who are winning Government contracts, JM and ED Moore employ very little in-house labour," he said.

"As a result, the majority of the work involved in their construction projects is undertaken by small, local business and tradespeople.

"This is a major benefit to local sub-contractors and suppliers and also to the local community."

Mr Board said the first stage of the multi-million dollar upgrade of the TAFE campus was due to be completed in April.

Employment and Training Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the need for a new industrial development centre had been acknowledged by both TAFE and the local industry.

"The growth in engineering and metal construction activity in the South-West has been unprecedented and had to be addressed through off-the-job training facilities," Mrs Edwardes said.

"As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia there will be sustained growth in the South-West, which will need to be supported by a highly skilled and trained workforce.

"The new facilities should address this issue through the provision of quality facilities to train our young workforce.

"The $9.5 milion centre will be at the leading edge in its technology and facilities will be shared to provide flexible, integrated training in science, engineering and trades.

"Courses to be offered include engineering, surveying and electronics."

Funding for the new centre, which will progressively come on stream during the next three years, came from the Australian National Training Authority.

Stage one construction works included a new horticulture building, greenhouse and shade-house, re-roofing some buildings with metal decking, new storm-water disposal systems and bitumen and gravel roads.

The Department of Contract and Management Services plans to tender out stage two of the contract in early March. Stage two includes extensive additions, renovations and construction work and is expected to take about 15 months.

Mitchell MLA Dan Sullivan said it was pleasing to see that local companies were the big winners from the TAFE project.

"This project has such a big spin-off for our region, providing both present and future employment opportunities and a capital injection of more than $1 million into the South-West economy," Mr Sullivan said.

"It is good news for everyone in the area and further shows the Coalition Government's commitment to the people of the South-West."

Media contacts: Peter Harris (08) 9222 9211 or Diana Russell-Coote (08) 9421 7777