Work underway at UTAS site after $21.7m tender awarded: Major coup for construction firm

The construction company’s CEO said the timing of the contract and new development may have saved jobs in the state’s north.

THE timing of new construction work at University of Tasmania’s Inveresk site may have saved jobs says Vos Construction CEO Kurt Jones.

Ground was broken at the site of UTAS’ new library and student services building with the Tasmanian construction firm being awarded the $21.7 million tender to carry out the work.

The building is part of the UTAS relocation and redevelopment project and the university’s $300 million Northern Transformation in Launceston and Burnie being funded by UTAS, TasTAFE and all tiers of Government through the Launceston City Deal.

Construction work on University of Tasmania's new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the North Esk River at Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Minister for State Growth Michael Ferguson said it was “fantastic” to see the construction tender awarded to a “proud Tasmanian construction firm”.

He said the works kicked off on Monday would support the employment of more than 100 people on site and hundreds more in future phases on and off site through design and pre manufacturing.

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Minister for state growth Michael Ferguson at the announcement of the construction tender for the next stage of UTAS' northern transformation in Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“All of this is about not just construction jobs but importantly the critical mass as we see a university and the learning opportunities coming into the centre of our city,” he said.

Professor vice chancellor (Launceston) Dom Geraghty said UTAS was entering a “really cranked up phase” of development.

“Over the next few weeks we’ll have the schematic designs for the second and third building and river’s edge, and the Willow St buildings,” he said.

“We’ve also submitted a developed application for the 850 place car park in the northern part of the precinct.”

University of Tasmania pro vice chancellor (Launceston) Dom Geraghty at UTAS' Inveresk site in Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Pro Geraghty said the developments in Launceston and at West Park in Burnie were on track to finish on schedule and the Inveresk campus was expected to be finished by 2024.

Vos Construction CEO Kurt Jones said it was “hugely important” that the first construction tender had been awarded to a Tasmanian firm.

“We’ve been lobbying for a long time that these projects now just stay local and it comes at a really good time for our business, the industry, and also the Launceston community,” he said.

Vos Construction has seen a 15 per cent downturn across its business due to coronavirus and is expecting further downturns.

“We’ve worked closely with the university to get [the project] going. It comes at a great time otherwise it was probably job losses in the north as well for us.”