Queensland Water Infrastructure chief executive Graeme Newton said two groups, the EcoSmart Team and the Queensland Dam Consortium, had been short-listed to proceed to the final selection process to build the dam. The EcoSmart Team is made up of Abigroup Contractors, MWH Australia, GHD Australia and John Holland. The Queensland Dam Consortium comprises Macmahon Contractors, SMEC Australia, Hydro Tasmania, Wagners Quarries, ASI Constructors and Rizzo Australia.QWI said it expected more than 300 people to soon be employed on the project. “Each consortium put forward a high-calibre team with hundreds of years experience in the delivery of major dam projects around the world,” Newton said. He said the successful bidder would be announced by April, and that the project would create jobs ranging from labouring, fencing, earthmoving, materials testing and office administration. Pre-construction activities commenced immediately following the project’s approval by Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett on November 24 this year. “Early in 2009 activities will ramp up with the construction of a 5.5-kilometre access road to the dam site, and installation of a temporary water pipeline to deliver on-demand water for construction,” Newton said. The project will also include a separate package of works to construct a 10.6km new section of Beaudesert-Boonah Road, with the tender closing in early 2009. The contractor will be appointed in February to allow for the immediate start of construction.
