Shire awards two contractors with Kalbarri disaster recovery tender to repair cyclone-damaged infrastructure

Tenders for long-awaited coastal infrastructure repairs in Kalbarri have been awarded, more than three years on from the devastation of cyclone Seroja. The cyclone, which struck the Mid West coastline near Kalbarri on April 11, 2021, caused widespread damage to public and private properties, as well as local infrastructure, across the shire of Northampton. To address the damage, the shire engaged consultants GHD to assist with the recovery projects, focusing on areas such as Chinaman’s Drive, Blue Holes, Jacques Point and Red Bluff. GHD was also tasked with developing a temporary workers’ caravan accommodation facility in Kalbarri, funded by the State Government. A tender process was launched in April, with three submissions received. Last week, the council voted to award the Kalbarri Disaster Recovery Works tender to Neo Civil Pty Ltd for almost $6.7 million. The tender includes the repair of coastal infrastructure funded by Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements Western Australia (DRFAWA), and the construction of the temporary workers’ accommodation . Aaro Group was also awarded a separate tender for $214,353 to extend sewer mains to support the Temporary Workers Caravan Accommodation Facility in Kalbarri. Specialist sewer works are required to be undertaken by Water Corporation approved contractors. Shire president Liz Sudlow confirmed works are expected to start in the back end of July. “I know the community will be delighted to see the foreshore restored to its former condition,” she said. The decision marks a significant step towards restoring the affected areas and supporting the local workforce during the recovery phase.