24/08/05
The State Government has awarded contracts worth $17.5million for the repair and maintenance of power, water and wastewater infrastructure in the State’s remote indigenous communities.
Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan said all three contracts were awarded to the existing providers who had performed to a satisfactory standard since being awarded their previous contracts in January 2001.
“The renewed contracts are worth $17.5million over the next three years and will run until June 30, 2008, with possible two-year extensions,” Mr Logan said.
The successful tenderers were the Kimberley Regional Service Providers (Kimberley region, $8.07million), the Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation (Pilbara-Gascoyne region, $4.82million) and Ngaanyatiarra Services (Goldfields-Central Reserves region, $4.65million).
The contracts require the providers to employ at least four Aboriginal apprentices each. They must also undertake to run training programs with up to 50 indigenous trainees from various remote communities.
Under the State Government’s Remote Area Essential Services Program, the three providers will resume responsibility for the repair and maintenance of power, water and wastewater infrastructure in 91 Aboriginal communities with permanent populations of between 50 and 650 people.
Mr Logan also announced that the Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation had won a $1million contract to upgrade housing and infrastructure at three indigenous communities in the Pilbara; the Ngurawanna, Mirtunkarra and Youngaleena.
He said ten community houses at Ngurawanna would be upgraded in preparation for the arrival of new residents whose children will attend a new school.
At Mirtunkarra, ten community houses would also be upgraded, while the community centre, community toilets, laundry and kitchen areas would be refurbished.
Mr Logan said the centre would be used as a multi-function administrative and childcare facility.
“The community intends to run a program where all school children will be bathed, dressed and fed breakfast together at the centre before being collected by the bus for the trip to their school at Marble Bar,” Mr Logan said.
Five community houses at Youngaleena will be upgraded and one will be demolished. A replacement house will be constructed in the building program for this financial year.
Mr Logan expects the work to be finished by the start of 2006.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
