Work has begun on the first stages of the $150 million capital works project for the provision of infrastructure and services for the new Gungahlin suburb of Moncrieff.
Part of the ACT Government’s construction stimulus package, the release of multiple civil contracts is aimed at supporting and stimulating the local construction industry by sharing the work across a number of local contractors and in turn, making the majority of the estate ‘build-ready’ more quickly.
The initial work is focused in the western part of Moncrieff, a 62 hectare site that is designed to accommodate approximately 1,000 dwellings and a commercial precinct in the north east corner, adjacent to the intersection of Mirrabei and Horse Park Drives, which will include a group centre, community facilities and medium density housing.
The $19 million contract for one of the packages of civil works in this area has been awarded to local contractor Group 1 and the other $17 million contract has been awarded to Canberra Contractors.
Concurrent work will be undertaken in the eastern part of the suburb, adjacent to Amaroo, and the first contract for work in this area will be awarded shortly with the final package for the remainder of the work to be awarded in the next few months.
Land for the first 522 new homes has already been allocated following a very successful ‘builders ballot’ held in early June which saw a number of Canberra builders secure parcels of land comprising various numbers of blocks tailored to the size of their operations. The Land Development Agency worked with both the Master Builders Association and the Housing Industry Association to determine the most appropriate size of the parcels.
Canberra families will also have their opportunity to secure a block in Moncrieff later this year.
For every $1 million of output in the construction sector there is a multiplier effect elsewhere in the economy of $2.9 million and this is why the ACT Government is determined to ensure ongoing support for this important sector.