Coast company wins key contract at university hospital

Erle Levey

Sunshine Coast Daily

20th March 2013

SHADFORTHS has been awarded the contract for bulk earthworks for the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, builder Lend Lease says.

The winning civil contractor was unveiled to The Daily after a media event at the site of the future hospital in Kawana yesterday.

"The bulk earthworks on site is a key enabling component of the project and is expected to be completed in early May," project manager Mark Buckle said.

"Having a local contractor work with us on this is really exciting."

Lend Lease has created contracts as low as $30,000 to encourage local businesses to apply for tender.

The Industry Capability Network (ICN) has received 1129 registrations against work packages since the project began.

So far, 66 work orders have been awarded, of which 56 were to companies in south-east Queensland.

Mr Buckle said the opportunity was there for local contractors and businesses to apply for more than three-quarters of the hospital's available projects.

"We've focused on a lower level of small packages to allow small industries to join in, like carpenters and eletrical contractors.

"We had very good response from Sunshine Coast with some very competitive and exemplary tenders from local business.''

Mr Buckle showed Mayor Mark Jamieson (pictured) the progress on the start of construction on the first car park structure, adjacent to the co-located private hospital.

Other construction activities under way include bringing fill to the main site, construction of a temporary car park for construction workers and a new entry off Kawana Way to the car park.