Consortia named for $370m schools project

Three consortia have been shortlisted to come up with detailed proposals for Western Australia’s first public private partnership for schools, with the winner to design, build, finance and maintain eight new public schools over 25 years.

The companies have been asked to provide detailed and costed proposals for four primary schools, which are Landsdale East, Alkimos South West, Baldivis North and Byford South, and four secondary schools, which are Ellenbrook North, Lakelands, Hammond Park and Harrisdale.

The project has an estimated capital cost of $370 million.

The shortlisted companies include a consortium comprising Decmil Group, Programmed Maintenance Services and Cockram Construction, a partnership between Macquarie Capital, Badge, Perkins Builders and Spotless Facility Services, and a consortium consisting of Pindan, Compass Group and Plenary Origination.

“The project involves a company designing and building eight public schools and then maintaining them over a 25-year period,” Treasurer Mike Nahan said.

“It also finances design and construction. Having a private company finance the design and construction means the state government starts paying only when each school is operational.”

Education Minister Peter Collier said the partnership was a strong incentive for the appointed company to build high-quality schools on time and within budget, and for maintenance to be performed to a high standard.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Deidre Willmott said the announcement of shortlisted companies was a positive sign that the government was engaging with the private sector to deliver important infrastructure.

"With the pressures on the state finances, it is more important than ever that the government looks at ways to deliver infrastructure more efficiently," Ms Willmott said.

"Public private partnerships are an innovative and efficient method of delivering important economic and social infrastructure projects."

Ms Willmott said the the expertise of the private sector can deliver infrastructure at a lower cost and in a more timely fashion.

The state government announced plans for the public private partnerships for the new schools in October last year.

The proposals are due by May 8, with the successful consortium of companies to be announced in August.