Mackay council to vote on Seaforth Esplanade redevelopment tenders; Vassallo likely winner

A well-known Mackay construction company has nabbed a lucrative $7.1m contract to redevelop the Seaforth Esplanade, with works expected to begin in September.

Mackay-based Vassallo Constructions has won a $7m tender to redevelop the Seaforth Esplanade, beating out rival Woollam Constructions.

The council voted unanimously to award the contract to Vassallo after concluding the Vassallo bid offered the Mackay region the best “value for money”.

Woollam and Vassallo both submitted tenders to Mackay Regional Council to build the new recreation hub at Seaforth, about 45km north of Mackay.

The contract is priced at $7,118,829 and will see Vassallo revamp the children’s play area, improve disability access, upgrade the esplanade and improve beach access.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the project featured a swimming enclosure as its centrepiece flanked by a marine-inspired all-abilities water play area with an oversized splash pad, a shallow pool mimicking ocean tides, water jets and sprays.

There will also be new picnic shelters, barbecues, and seating; double beach showers; expanded amenities including change rooms; and two playground areas.

The toddler-to-age-six play area has slides, springers, spinners, and swings with a Kombivan play car, while a six-years-and-up playground features a tower with climbing, sliding, balancing and social play opportunities.

The works are bounded by Palm Ave to the south, Elizabeth St to the west and the council-controlled Seaforth Camping Reserve to the east.

Woollam’s tender to MRC totalled $7.46m while Vassallo’s came in at $7.12m, both incorporating costs for demolition, civil, building, electrical, water and sewer works as well as water play, landscaping and playground works.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said it was a “very expensive project” with a total cost of $8.6m, $4.5m more than anticipated.

“I think everyone is aware of the impact that inflation and supply chain constraints are having on the construction industry at the moment,” he said.

“It is affecting all of our projects and we have had to reschedule some of the projects we had planned to do this year because it is not feasible to complete them within this year’s budget due to price increases.

“However, this project is a key priority for council, as it will help improve the liveability and livelihood of our region and will drive tourism to our region due to its location next to the popular Seaforth camping ground.

“This is why it is important this project goes ahead despite the shortfall in the budget.”

Council documents state the current budget allocation for the capital works, which has received part-funding from the State Government’s 2021-24 Works for Queensland program, is $4.13m.

There is a $4.25m funding shortfall, when counting in other associated project delivery costs, with a proposal put forward to allocate extra funding from the 2023/24 financial year Capital Works budget.

Work is expected to begin in September and will likely take 12 months to complete.