Stirling works to kick off soon

Construction of the new accommodation units planned for HMAS Stirling is expected to start in September.

The Department of Defence has awarded the $60 million contract to build the 268 units at Garden Island to Pindan, a member of the Plenary Living Consortium contracted by the department to deliver itssingle-living accommodation program.

In what could be good news for local fabricators, Pindan business development director Scott Davison said 95 per cent of the company’s work was undertaken using WA-based suppliers and contractors.

Mr Davison said the defence procurement policy manual encouraged contractors to ‘‘where possible, buy locally, considering the commercial and practical benefits of doing so when evaluating value for money’’.

‘‘Tenders from many local businesses have been received for the work to be carried out at HMAS Stirling,’’ he said.

‘‘We look forward to getting successful tenderers on board and commencing this important project for our servicemen and servicewomen.’’

Pindan was also awarded a $16 million contract to build 60 units at Campbell Barracks.

The accommodation at Garden Island is due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2012, and the Campbell Barracks units in the third quarter of 2013.

Mr Davison said the project, which will provide jobs for 190 workers across the two sites, would keep staff in work as stimulus projects tapered off and commercial construction recovered.

Plenary group director Ray Wilson said nationally about 1550 jobs would be created during the three-year, on-base accommodation program.