Far North Queensland companies called to tender for government employee housing construction on Horn Island

The Palaszczuk Government has called on eligible Far North Queensland companies to tender for the construction of new government employee housing on Horn Island under the Queensland Government’s Buy Queensland procurement strategy.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the Buy Queensland policy, which came into effect on 1 September 2017, was fantastic news for local businesses looking to tender for the works.

“This project will involve the construction of three two-bedroom duplexes, and will support jobs for a range of trades including electrical, carpentry, plumbing and floor laying,” Mr de Brenni said.

“As well as increasing housing for frontline workers in the region, these projects are part of a secure pipeline of work that will help support the construction industry in Far North Queensland and support jobs for local tradies.

“I encourage eligible local construction businesses to put in a tender for this project – and thanks to Buy Queensland, businesses who clearly demonstrate how they’re going to employ local workers and suppliers will receive preference.”

Ministerial Champion for the Torres Strait Shannon Fentiman said the homes would help deliver on the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to restoring frontline services.

“Queenslanders living in remote communities deserve to have access to essential services, and building accommodation like this helps us to bring frontline staff into the heart of the Horn Island community,” Ms Fentiman said.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Mark Furner said the Palaszczuk Government’s new Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy (QIPP) – a key part of Buy Queensland – would ensure Indigenous businesses had more opportunities to benefit from these types of projects.

 “The Queensland Government spends around $18 billion each year on procurement, capital works and infrastructure, and we want Indigenous businesses to benefit from this investment,” Mr Furner said.

“Our new policy, which launched in September, sets a target to increase procurement with Indigenous businesses to three per cent of the value of State Government spend by 2022.

“We know there are endless opportunities to improve economic participation of Indigenous Queenslanders and through our procurement policy we will help to boost this growing business sector.”

For further information on how to become registered for Queensland Government building and construction work, phone 3008 3392 or visit www.qld.gov.au/gov/building-services

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Media contact: Cat Milton 0410 644 113