Western Australian-based company WBHO Civil has won a contract to continue construction of the National Broadband Network around Geraldton.
The contract, for an undisclosed sum, will see WBHO take over the work started by the Syntheo Joint Venture. Syntheo and NBN Co mutually agreed not to extend the relationship when contracts expired in November last year. Syntheo subsequently completed all construction already underway earlier this year.
WBHO will now employ more than 40 people to continue constructing the fibre component of the network, including connecting customers.
WBHO Civil is the result of WBHO Australia's acqusition and subsequent merger of Kwinana company CECK, Carr Civil Contracting and Northcoast Contractors.
Director of WBHO Civil Michael Librizzi said the contract was the first instance where a mid-tier contractor had engaged directly with NBN Co as part of a Tier 1 contract - they had formerly only been involved with subcontracting to a larger company.
“The opportunities that this presents to the community are significant,” Mr Librizzi said.
“A safe, seamless delivery of these works will place local businesses in the box seat to secure further long term works across the Midwest network rollout and possibly across the state.
“This can only benefit the community and will provide further training opportunities and economic outcomes at a local level.”
NBN Co spokesperson Peter Gurney said WBHO's contract would include installing connection boxes to the outside of homes during the rollout which would increase the number of homes able to easily connect to the NBN at the ready-for-service date.
