Queensland Government calls for Sunshine Coast builders to sign up

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten today urged Sunshine Coast building contractors to get ready to take part in approximately $4 billion worth of housing and schools projects available under the Federal Government’s Economic Stimulus Package.

Mr Schwarten said contactors and consultants must first prequalify or register with the Department of Public Works to be eligible to tender for work.

“The Department of Public Works will be heavily involved in the delivery of the Federal Government’s Nation Building and Jobs Plan through its business units Project Services and QBuild,” Mr Schwarten said.

“We want local builders, projects managers, engineers, architects and other construction industry contractors to get the work in their local areas, but the first step is to become prequalified or registered with the department.

“That’s why the Department of Public Works organised these sessions, to provide information to contractors who want to register or prequalify.

“It gave them the chance to ask questions and get on the books as soon as possible.”

Contractors wishing to register for maintenance and smaller construction jobs less than $250,000 can register with QBuild.

For construction jobs greater than $250,000 and for consultant commissions more than $30,000, contractors and consultants wishing to be eligible to tender must be prequalified on the department’s Queensland Government Prequalification (PQC) system.

Mr Schwarten said the PQC is a well established system with 553 contractors and 361 consultants already pre-qualified.

“QBuild also has 15,000 registered private contractors and suppliers who carry out more than 60 per cent of maintenance and construction jobs.

“They will be able to tender for work as soon as the programs start to roll out and I encourage consultants and contractors who are not registered or prequalified to do so.”

The road show will next move to Cairns and Townsville on 5 March and Mackay and Rockhampton on 6 March.

To find out more information about registration call 1800 072 621 or visit www.publicworks.qld.gov.au and follow the links.

Media contact: 3237 1832