Two major construction projects reached milestones last week, with more jobs to come for WA workers.

More than 400 West Australians were employed at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) to build a giant reclaimer and three coal stackers—the biggest fabrication project ever undertaken in WA.

Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions commissioned 3500 tonnes of locally fabricated steel and employed workers in design, supply and construction for the three-year project.

Premier Mark McGowan unveiled the $100 million works on Friday.

“This complicated, heavy-engineering project, constructed using local labour, local skills, and local infrastructure is a good example of Western Australia’s competitiveness and capacity,” he said.

“I’m pleased this has incorporated locally-fabricated steel and the machinery has been produced and constructed here at the AMC—keeping work and jobs in WA.”

Thyssenkrupp is now looking to recruit more skilled professionals and construction workers for a strong pipeline of future projects.

The company is the only contractor in the country that does end-to-end design, fabrication, procurement and construction of mining machinery within Australia.

“This milestone is a great accomplishment for Thyssenkrupp and its sub-contractors and draws parallels to the McGowan Government’s commitment to deliver more local content and Western Australian jobs.”

The equipment is due to be shipped to its new home at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal restoration and compliance project in NSW.

Weighing more than 1490 tonnes, the reclaimer will be the heaviest piece of machinery loaded onto a ship in a single lift at the AMC.

Meanwhile, in another boost for jobs, the State Government is seeking expressions of interest to widen the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways and build the Kwinana Freeway Northbound Smart Freeway.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the projects were due begin mid-2018.

“These important freeway projects form part of a $2.3 billion investment in road and rail infrastructure by the State and Commonwealth governments and will create more than 850 jobs for Western Australians,” she said.

More information on the procurement process is available here.

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