Builder for pavilion yet to be found

Dandaragan Shire is yet to find a contractor to build the Jurien Bay Foreshore Pavilion.

While the pre-tender construction estimate for the project was $650,000, Shire development services manager David Chidlow told councillors tender prices ranged from $969,233 to $1,493,251.

Councillors therefore voted to reject all tenders, and authorised Shire CEO Brent Bailey to negotiate with “suitably qualified and experienced builders” to get the job done.

Shire president Leslee Holmes said they were making an effort to find a local contractor as builders were busy.

“We like to focus on getting as much opportunity for locals as we can,” she said.

“We are very lucky at the moment, Jurien Bay is starting to sell blocks again and there is a lot of building going on.”

Ms Holmes described the pavilion as a “marquee project” for the Shire which would complement the new children’s precinct and skate park.

“Once we build that we will have a new kiosk cafe and brand new toilet facilities,” she said.

At last week’s meeting the council also approved a new feedlot at Sendem Downs farm in Boothendarra with the capacity to accommodate up to 8000 head of cattle over a five-year staged development. Applicant and landowner Central Stockcare has owned a similar feedlot at Springfield farm in Gingin Shire for more than a decade, but sold the property to mining interests.

Ms Holmes said the new $5 million cattle management system was a “good fit” for that part of Badgingarra and would create jobs and business opportunities.