Expressions of Interest (EOI) are set to open soon to build the $352 million Rookwood Weir, providing a major job boost for central Queensland.
EOIs will open October 2 on the QTenders website next week, which will contain all relevant information and assessment criteria.
Local businesses including machinery operators, labourers, plumbing and electrical contractors, catering and office suppliers, have already registered their interest in providing goods and services to the project as part of a dedicated web registry earlier this month.
81 business have lodged submissions to supply goods and services to the project.
Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke, said the contract would provide a major boost to central Queensland from the jobs and economic benefits that would flow from the construction.
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“Rookwood Weir is set to deliver hundreds of jobs during and after construction and will expand irrigated agricultural production in the Lower Fitzroy,’’ O’Rourke said.
Rookwood Weir aims to help transition to higher value agricultural land use, facilitate new industry and bolster water security.
It will provide an additional source of water for the Rockhampton and Gladstone communities, granting access to 34,000 megalitres for urban, industrial and agricultural water customers.
A tender process for the construction of the weir will take place in early 2020 with the contract to be awarded by mid-2020.
The first works will involve widening and upgrading 16.2 kilometres of Thirsty Creek Road, undertaken by Rockhampton Regional Council.
The upgrade will allow the local road network to safely accommodate heavy earthmoving vehicles needed for construction.
Other works will include the Capricorn Highway upgrade at Gogango, upgrading Hanrahan’s Crossing building a new Riverslea Bridge and approaches to accommodate the higher river level.
Works not connected to the weir structure are able to take place, including road, highway upgrades and bridge construction.
The project is expected to take four years to complete.