KIRWAY CONSTRUCTIONS VYING FOR TOP PROJECTS
March 9, 2010
A Latrobe Valley construction company has become one of just over 30 building companies in Victoria able to tender for Federal Government construction contracts valued in excess of $6 million.
Kirway Constructions Director Wayne Hough was last week presented with a certificate of accreditation under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Scheme by The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and State Member for Morwell Russell Northe.
Mr Chester, a keen advocate of ‘Putting Locals First’, said he was extremely pleased for the business which has a strong local focus in its company structure.
“Kirway Constructions is exactly the type of company The Nationals want to promote when we’re urging the local community to keep ‘Putting Locals First’, and supporting local jobs,” Mr Chester said.
“Despite its success, Kirway remains firmly entrenched in the Latrobe Valley and by employing over 60 staff from around the region the company’s contribution to the local community cannot be understated.”
Director Wayne Hough said the accreditation would enable the company to tender for more work and employ more people in the future.
“The ability to vie for bigger contracts as a result of this accreditation will certainly allow us to further expand our business and employ more people,” Wayne said.
“Our company will be one of 140 nationwide and just over 30 state-wide to have access to these contracts which puts us in very good stead for the future.
“But our key objective will always remain to keep our staff and customers safe and this accreditation has enabled us to continually maintain the high safety standards that we set ourselves at Kirway Constructions.”
State Member for Morwell Russell Northe said the company had undergone a time consuming and costly procedure to obtain the accreditation.
Mr Northe suggested further government support should be available for regional businesses so that they can keep up with their city counterparts.
“It is a credit to Kirway Constructions that they have been able to pursue this accreditation over the length of time at a significant cost,” Mr Northe said.
“Whilst I understand there is a strict policy in obtaining such accreditation the government needs to realise that the cost factor is a large barrier for regional businesses which might not have the working capital of their city counterparts.
“I believe there is a case to be made for regional businesses to receive further government support to pursue accreditation that improves their ability to provide a safe working environment for their staff and customers.
“It would greatly assist the level of competition for various contracts in regional communities and would ensure that money is kept within the local economy.”