Revealed: Council awards one of its biggest contract to meet fast growth in city’s north

Council has awarded one of its largest ever contracts which is designed to meet the fast growth in the northern part of the Gold Coast.

THE council has awarded one of its largest contracts, designed to meet the fast growth in the northern part of the Gold Coast.

Councillors met behind closed doors this morning at the water, waste and energy committee to discuss the Coombabah Sewage Treatment Stage 6 upgrade.

In open session, councillors unanimously agreed to awarding more than $132 million to Lendlease Engineering Pty Ltd for the project expected to be a huge job generator.

Aerials Gold Coast :Coombabah water treatment plant Picture Mike Batterham

The funding would be across three years with more than $68 million approved for this financial year.

A Bulletin report in December last year warned the population pressure in the north required the upgrade of the city’s biggest treatment plant.

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The Coombabah STP services about half of the city, and additional capacity would be needed by 2021. Initial costing was up to $150 million.

The fast-growing northern suburbs of Coomera and Pimpama will benefit along with Southport, Labrador, Biggera Waters, Harbour Town and Helensvale.

Committee chair Gail O’Neill congratulated officers on the work in securing the contract.

Gold Coast City Council's long term recycled water network plan.

“It’s a huge contract for the city, and certainly for the growth in the north. I’m sure the next few years will provide a lot of employment with this contract, and for local engineering firms. It’s a fantastic outcome,” she said.

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Pacific Pines councillor Peter Young said it was a very significant project which clearly indicated council’s investment in the future growth of the city.

“I’ve got complete faith in the officers for their evaluation of very substantial tenders. We certainly welcome the project being initiated, and a lot of local jobs arising from it,” he said.

“I think we should all be very confident of report that’s been presented to us and the recommendations.”

Cr Gail O'Neill — this will be fantastic. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mayor Tom Tate told The Bulletin: “This is vital infrastructure for our growing northern suburbs - not only a major investment in our future but a job creation project at a time we need it most.

“And it is funded and we look forward to work starting out there as soon as possible.”

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Area councillor William Owen-Jones told the meeting: “It’s important to note that we are doing exactly what people ask us to do which is planning the delivery of infrastructure before people turn up. This allows effectively 120,000 equivalent population units to be planned for over the next couple of years.

“It’s a $132 million contract which is not insignificant. I think it’s important to note that the bulk of that funding has come from reserves that have been put aside for exactly this sort of planning – contributed through the infrastructure agreements paid for by developers as well.”