Bunbury Outer Ring Road early contracts roll out

A contract has been awarded to deliver early works for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road project, providing South West nurseries with the opportunity to be involved in the preparation stages. Infrastructure company Fulton Hogan was awarded the contract for early works including planting, earthworks preparation and fencing. Rural landowners whose properties were located within 500m of the BORR main alignment were offered early screen planting to provide a buffer, visually softening the construction works and future road infrastructure. Up to 20,000 native seedlings destined for planting in these areas are already thriving at Boyanup Botanical and Leschenault Community Nursery. Leschenault Community Nursery manager Jacquie Rusha said it was important the project specified it wanted local businesses to be involved. “For us it’s really important because we are primarily run by volunteers so it’s important for the community when we get orders like this,” Ms Rusha said. Ms Rusha said the nursery’s plants were ideal for the area because the seeds were locally-sourced. “It keeps the genetic diversity local of the plants that are planted,” she said. Bunbury MLA Don Punch said he was pleased the nursery was one of the businesses to benefit from the contract. “I am so pleased the outstanding service they provide our community through the provision of native plants specific to this area is being recognised,” Mr Punch said. The BORR is the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the South West and is anticipated to create thousands of local jobs. Transport Ministor Rita Saffioti said the project would generate significant economic and employment opportunities. “Maximising local business procurement is a key objective for the project so I'm pleased to see local contractors and local nurseries involved in these crucial early works,” Ms Saffioti said. “Up to 20,000 seedlings will be planted, providing privacy for landowners and a pleasant backdrop for drivers once the highway is complete.” The process to secure alliance contractors to design and construct the infrastructure project is still ongoing.