A Western Australian company, using mainly regional workers from the North-West, has completed a key trade infrastructure project at the Port of Port Hedland well ahead of schedule and under budget.
The Berth 3 deck and fender replacement project in Port Hedland is a pilot project under the WA Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS). It was completed two months ahead of schedule and approximately $1.2 million under budget, coming in at $32.5 million.
The project was delivered by WA company Total AMS Pty Ltd, with 61 direct employees and more than 27 subcontractors, at least 75 per cent of them from the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne regions.
Berth 3 is one of Pilbara Ports Authority’s common user berths, primarily used for the export of salt and import of fuels and general cargo. Works included the demolition of the existing deck, replacement of ship loader rail beams, construction of a new reinforced concrete deck, installation of new wharf fenders and other ancillary works.
The WAIPS became fully operational in October 2018 and aims to provide local businesses with full, fair and reasonable opportunities to access and perform State Government supply contracts.
It is a key component of the McGowan Government’s WA Jobs Law, which sets out the Government’s commitment to ensure the $27 billion spent annually on State Government procurement maximises opportunities for local businesses and creates more jobs for Western Australians.
As stated by Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“This is a great outcome for our State. Not only did a WA company deliver this project, they did it with a predominantly regional workforce, which is exactly what we want to achieve with the WAIPS.
“The Berth 3 project was also completed two months ahead of schedule and about $1.2 million under budget – great news for WA taxpayers.
“The Berth 3 replacement is an important project for the Pilbara, helping to create long-term sustainable jobs in Port Hedland and ensuring that industry has the most up-to-date infrastructure in place to facilitate ongoing trade opportunities.”
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
“The McGowan Government is delivering on its election commitment to deliver local jobs in the regions on government projects.
“This is a fantastic example of the WA Jobs Law in action, creating dozens of jobs in the Pilbara for Pilbara residents.”
