Ord Phase 2 contract for Kununurra, Grylls
Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 08-December-2011
The State Government’s Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project reached another important milestone with the announcement of Leighton Contractors as the contractor for Phase 2 construction works.
Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the $146million Royalties for Regions-funded contract involved construction and delivery of infrastructure including the irrigation channel extension; drainage channels and roads within the Goomig Farm Area; and included key measurable goals to maximise indigenous participation.
Mr Grylls said the State Government was committed to working with MG Corporation to deliver the indigenous outcomes of the Phase 2 contract.
“This project has always been about more than delivery of hard infrastructure, and all parties have put a significant amount of effort into developing goals and strategies that ensure indigenous employment and business opportunities,” he said.
“Already we have achieved the growth and establishment of some indigenous businesses and we are seeking to improve on that.”
The Phase 2 scope and contract also included constructing additional channel capacity to assist with accommodating potential expansion within the Knox Plain area and into the Northern Territory.
The project is doubling the Ord River Irrigation area, with LandCorp currently seeking requests for proposal and expressions of interest for 15,200 hectares of agricultural land.
