Major infrastructure projects to create supply opportunities

SUPPLIERS and contractors on the Gold Coast are preparing to capitalise on State Government infrastructure projects totalling almost $12.5 billion.

Work is well underway on stage one of the University Hospital site at Parklands, with stage two approaching and a number of other major projects including the Gold Coast Stadium and the Gold Coast rapid transit system are scheduled to commence in 2010.

Treasurer and Minister for Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Andrew Fraser, says it’s important that local industry positions itself to take advantage on the opportunities.

“With $9.4 billion in road, rail and public transport projects; $2 billion in health; $480 million spending in energy and $561 million in social infrastructure spending, Gold Coast local business and industry needs to be prepared to make the most out of the opportunities that will come from these major projects,” says Fraser.

“The use of local suppliers creates new business opportunities and there will be numerous major projects across the Gold Coast for them to tap into during 2010 and beyond.”

The Treasurer says the State Government is supporting local industry through programs like the ‘Queensland Made Means Queensland Jobs’ initiative.

“This initiative, which will be funded for the next five years, will help Queensland firms tender for major projects, particularly those funded by the Bligh Government through our Local Industry Policy,” he says.

The Industry Capability Network (ICN) Queensland, funded by the Queensland Government and now part of QMI Solutions, is partnering with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and linking local firms to major infrastructure projects through the Major Project Supplier Program.

ICN Queensland assists by maximising opportunities for local suppliers to enhance their visibility to major project procurement teams.

The Gold Coast Centre of Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation also assist local suppliers to enhance their visibility to access general government procurement through their Tendering for Government Business workshop in March.

The workshop is expected to assist participants in learning about the Queensland Government procurement process; how to complete tender documents; how to interpret and respond to the standard terms and conditions laid out in tender documents and understanding how to search government purchasers’ requirements.