Gympie council contracts: Where it spent $15m in 2020-21

Gympie Regional Council made more than a dozen deals with private companies to carry out big council projects this financial year - some worth $220,000, some worth millions.

Goomeri’s pool, the sewage treatment plant at Nelson Reserve and the March elections are some of the things Gympie regional Council has entered into contracts of $220,000 or more this financial year.

Roadworks and sewage projects have dominated a list of big ticket spends by Gympie Regional Council worth more than $15 million this financial year, according to figures released by the council.

Since the start of the 2020-21 financial year the council has handed out 17 contracts with values of more than $220,000 for a range of different projects.

More than half of the total spend has gone on fixing and replacing the region’s roads, including a $3.2 million Transport and Main Roads contract with the council and a $2.16 million deal with RPQ North Coast for road resealing.

Other road work contracts doled out this financial year include $1.95 million to replace Doyles Bridge on Kandanga Creek Road to CPM Group, $917,000 to Birt Enterprises for upgrades to Laurenceson Road, and $768,000 to Ark Construction Group to replace Bridge No. 82 on Cullinane Road.

The region’s water and sewerage infrastructure has also been given a boost.

The sewage treatment plant (and its associated smell) is at the centre of a $1.42 million contract awarded by the council.

Contracts handed out to upgrade these assets include $1.42 million to M & K Pipelines to replace the sewer pump station at Nelson Reserve, $727,000 to EMT for the upgrade of Imbil’s sewage treatment plant, $640,000 to Offaly Civil Engineering to relocate the water main at Pengelly’s Bridge, and $548,000 to Offaly Civil Engineering to fix the water main at Chapple Street.

Advanced Concrete Engineering won a $545,000 contract to upgrade a water reservoir roof at Rainbow Beach.

The council has also paid the Electoral Commission Queensland $312,000 to cover the cost of running the 2020 local government election.

The council paid $342,000 to replace Goomeri Pool’s filtration system. (Photo: Jessica McGrath)

The region’s easternmost and westernmost reaches benefited from large scale tenders; $342,000 was paid to Baldwin Aquatics to replace the filtration system at Goomeri’s pool while $308,000 went to VFG Skateparks to build an oft-demanded skate bowl at Cooloola Cove.

Along with the contracts the council has established pre-qualified supplier registries for electricians, plumbers, gas fitter and drainers, and business and management services.

All contracts entered with companies on these lists are paid at a set schedule of rates.