Woollam Constructions wins tender for $5.5m Mackay Waterfront works

More than $5.5m is being spent on Mackay’s flagship redevelopment project which will remain in the city with the successful tender from a proven developer. Read when works are expected to be completed.

The first major works in opening up the Pioneer River’s potential are expected to start within a matter of months after a successful $5.5m tender process.

Woollam Constructions successfully tendered for the first public realm works in the Riverside precinct, heralding the progression of Mackay’s transformation into a liveable destination.

The Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area is the jewel in the council’s ambition to open up the natural Pioneer River beauty, linking urban living with lifestyle.

Construction on the Riverside Link revitalisation – the second major instalment of PDA works – is expected to start in February or March along both River St and River St Service Rd, and from the carpark at Carlyle St to Burns St.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the council, with capital works funding also allocated, had moved quickly to the tender process.

“We’re extremely keen for this project to come to fruition as quickly as possible and it is exciting that construction works will be happening there soon,” he said.

“Construction should begin by late February or early March and be completed in time for the Christmas holidays and new year period.”

The combined value of the works carries a hefty $6.139m capital works price tag.

“With the tendered prices and other costs associated with the delivery of this project, there is a shortfall of $1,093,019.72 however, with the use of approval capital budget for all three Mackay Waterfront – Riverside Revitalisation projects, a balance of $1,906,753.28 remains,” council documents state.

Woollam is one of three businesses that formed ReNew Mackay which in December last year won the tender for the wider waterfront project with the consortium forging ahead with its $300m vision to open up the Pioneer River’s blue water.

Mr Williamson said the public realm works would be a catalyst for future development.

“This project is the first stage of three that will create a waterfront that is a must-see destination.

“It will unlock opportunities for development and investment, benefiting the entire region’s economic growth and community health and wellbeing.”

Two companies submitted tenders for the works, with Woollams costing the project at just north of $5.5m.

Vassallo Constructions’ tender costed the project works at $6.732m.

The council, through its evaluation process, concluded Woollam Constructions had “demonstrated previous experience along with the capacity to complete the works”.

“Therefore, awarding this contract to … Woollam Constructions represents the most advantageous outcome and demonstrated value for money to Mackay Regional Council,” documents state.

The waterfront revitalisation project is 50 per cent funded through the federal government’s Building Better Regions Funding program but, outside that agreement, the “council must fund ineligible costs such as staff wages, designs and other works completed prior to agreement execution”.