Mackay building company awarded $3m tender

Innovative Mackay resources project takes a major step forward today.

An artist's impression of the Mackay Regional Council's Resource Centre of Excellence. Picture: Contributed

EXCLUSIVE: MACKAY construction company Fergus Builders has been awarded the contract to build the $7 million Resources Centre of Excellence.

Mackay MP and Assistant Minister for State Development Julieanne Gilbert said awarding the tender for the joint Queensland Government and Mackay Regional Council project was a major step forward in the delivery of an election commitment, which would create up to 22 direct and indirect jobs onsite and through the supply chain.

"The Queensland Government is proud to partner with the Mackay Regional Council to deliver a world-class facility that will drive research and innovation in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector," Ms Gilbert said.

"It will also provide improved training opportunities for the new wave of apprentices entering the industry.

"Mackay is one of Queensland's major resource industry support hubs and this new Centre of Excellence will leverage off existing local expertise and further advance the state's METS vision."

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The location for Mackay Regional Council's Resource Centre of Excellence. Picture: Contributed

Mackay Regional Council is managing the delivery of the Resources Centre of Excellence on council-owned land at Crichtons Road, Paget, with the facility to be operated by the Resource Industry Network once complete.

The $3.28 million contract includes construction of an administration building, workshop, laboratory, landscaping and utilities and sets it up for the next stage, which will include fit-out of an underground mining simulator.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Resources Centre of Excellence was one of council's largest current projects and was an exciting development for the region.

"This state-of-the-art centre will further enhance Mackay's reputation as the service hub for the resources industry in the Bowen and Galilee basins,'' Cr Williamson said.

"It is fantastic that this tender has been awarded to a local company, with Fergus Builders selected due to their competitive price and track record in major construction projects in our region.

"They have previously delivered projects for council, including the Dudley Denny City Library and Paget workshop extensions."

Resource Industry Network general manager, Adrienne Rourke said the awarding of the tender for construction was another important milestone in what would be a significant landmark for this region as a leading global METS hub.

"We're extremely excited to be a part of this innovative development for the Mackay region and are eagerly looking forward to operating the Resources Centre of Excellence," Ms Rourke said.

The centre will be used by training providers, researchers, and private companies within the METS sector.

Construction is due to begin soon, with completion scheduled for March 2020. The facility will be operational and ready for its first intake of students soon after.

The project is supported by the Queensland Government's $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund that is assisting big-thinking, job-creating projects across regional Queensland.

Originally published as Mackay building company awarded $3m tender