Fremantle Council has voted to accept a tender for a new managing contractor to oversee the completion of the Walyalup Civic Centre.
Construction of the City of Fremantle’s new administration centre and library in the recently renamed Walyalup Koort was suspended in May after the head contractor, Pindan Constructions, was placed into liquidation.
Last night the council’s Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation Committee voted to accept a tender from Perth-based company, CDI Group, to manage contractor services to facilitate the completion of works at the Walyalup Civic Centre.
The City’s Director of Infrastructure, Graham Tattersall said the engagement of CDI Group would allow the main construction activity on the Walyalup Civic Centre to resume almost immediately.
“Since the collapse of Pindan we have not been able to progress the main construction works on site, although we have addressed some urgent façade glazing and weatherproofing works to protect the building from the recent storms and heavy rain,” Mr Tattersall said.
“The majority of activity over the past month has related to site clearing, cleaning, furniture assembly and testing, and of course the work on other aspects of the Walyalup Koort renewal project like the landscaping and construction of the new play space have continued unaffected.
“Thanks to the strong provisions in our contract with Pindan we have been able to directly engage all the existing novation deed contractors working on the Walyalup Civic Centre and have reviewed and agreed the remaining scope of works to be completed.
“The appointment of a managing contractor now means we can move forward with the project and complete the building in a timely manner.”
He said the Walyalup Civic Centre was progressing well, with the remaining substantial works including the completion of the external façade, roofing works and PV array installation, interior fit out, paving and soft landscaping.
Following the signing of a formal contract with CDI Group construction is expected to resume week commencing Monday 19 July, with practical completion estimated in November.
