The scramble to find alternative steel suppliers after SA Structural collapse

Managers of major government infrastructure projects hit by the collapse of steel fabricator SA Structural are madly trying to find new suppliers.

Artist impression of the new Glenunga International High School.

Managers of major government infrastructure projects hit by the collapse of steel fabricator SA Structural are scrambling to find alternative suppliers.

An urgent solution is needed for two schools, Glenunga International High and Playford International College.

The schools are expanding to accommodate more students when Year 7 moves to secondary schools next year.

Education Minister John Gardner said the government was optimistic the school building programs could catch up from any gaps in the schedule.

“Playford was running ahead of schedule and was due to be completed in October, so we have a bit of room there,” he said.

“Glenunga is a tighter time frame, its current schedule is for completion during December.

“So there’s effectively one month flexibility in time.

“We’re very focused on a solution.”

Most of the $1.3bn school building program, including at Glenunga and Playford, is being managed by the Infrastructure and Transport Department.

The $32m Glenunga project will take enrolment from about 1850 to 2200 and includes a new three-storey science and technology building and a double court gymnasium building with a two-storey annex for health and physical education.

Artist impression of the Glenunga International High School. Picture: supplied by the Education Department

SA Structural, who have gone into receivership, has been building the new science and Technology building at Glenunga International High school. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Glenunga is a popular choice for families and has a capacity management plan to control enrolments. Maximum intakes for 2022 are 375 Year 7s and 375 Year 8s.

The $15.6m project at Playford will increase capac7ity from 1250 students to 1600 and includes a technology centre and wellbeing centre, two-storey extension for teaching mathematics and numeracy as well as extensions to the visual arts and hospitality facilities.

Work on the Gawler rail line electrification project was partly completed by SA Structural before it went into administration with debts claims of more than $64m.

“Around 1000 steel masts have been supplied already, and there are approximately 500 masts to go," Infrastructure and Transport Minister Corey Wingard said.

“The department is working on placing an order with alternative suppliers which is imminent

“I’m advised the department doesn’t expect it will have any significant impact on project delivery at this time.”

Modbury Hospital and phase 2 of the Repat Reactivation program also are affected.