Building The Education Revolution - QLD

The Reed Group announces contract wins for Building the Education Revolution program works in Queensland

Bundall Queensland, Australia, 29 June 2009: The Reed Group today announced they have won the building contracts for six school projects located in the Wide Bay/Burnett, Gold Coast and Brisbane/Ipswich regions for Building the Education Revolution (BER) project works in Queensland.

Building the Education Revolution is a $14.7 billion national investment from the Australian Government which is part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan. The Australian Government is aiming to build learning environments to help children, families and communities participate in activities that will support achievement, develop learning potential and bring communities together.

It comprises of three programs:

Primary Schools for the 21st Century (new or refurbished halls, libraries, classrooms, MPCA (Multi Purpose Covered Area) and other works)
National School Pride (maintenance and minor refurbishment works)
Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools ( new or refurbished facilities at selected secondary schools)

In Queensland, schools will share in around $2.7 billion of federal funding over three years. This has the potential to benefit every school in Queensland and will help provide modern, functional teaching spaces with a deadline to complete all projects by March 2011 while at the same time supporting around 8000 jobs each year for the life of the program.

General Manager for The Reed Group, Garth Graydon said, "The Reed Group is proud to be associated with these works and is looking forward to working with each community to deliver much needed structures for local school children and local communities. Our business has a successful track record in hospitality and commercial projects in Queensland and we excited to turn our experience and skills to the education sector."

The Reed Group has been successful in tendering for construction works for seven schools and building works are on track to commence in July. As nominated Contractors, The Reed Group will report to the appointed project management companies for each school, both working together with the Queensland Government, the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Public Works.

To ensure the successful management and completion of all construction works, The Reed Group has appointed Anthony Lahood as Construction Manager to oversee all works in Queensland. Anthony has over 16 years experience in the industry, working on large scale projects in all sectors, with a focus on commercial, institutional and educational, and health projects. He joined The Reed Group in 2008 and was instrumental in the delivery of Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club and Redlands RSL Club.

"In delivering these works, The Reed Group anticipates there will be around 500 jobs created for suppliers and subcontractors from the local communities across all regions that The Reed Group will be working in. This is good news for business in the local areas and I am really looking forward to successfully managing and delivering these projects by working with the community towards a common goal," said Anthony.

With 30 years experience in the construction industry, The Reed Group prides itself on its ability to work effectively with local communities and are continually looking to support the communities they serve. In all BER works in Queensland The Reed Group will focus on taking a 'community first' approach by employing local contractors, businesses and tradesmen for BER works.

The Reed Group has a strong track record of project delivery in Queensland, particularly in the hospitality sector including more recently Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club, Redlands RSL Club, Currumbin Palm Beach RSL and Services Memorial Club and Beenleigh RSL Club.

A privately owned Australian company, The Reed Group was established in 1979. Today the business employs over 300 personnel with offices in New South Wales and Queensland with nine specialised divisions engaged in the design, construction and management for a diverse range of projects.

The Reed Group will be communicating the latest information through regular press updates, press releases and online via The Reed Group website at www.reedgroup.com.au to ensure the delivery of relevant information in a timely and widespread manner so everyone is aware of what is happening.

The Reed Group has also established an email at qldbereoi@reedgroup.com.au for any queries and a toll free line on 1800 33 REED (1800-33-7333)

All requests for interviews and/or high resolution images should be directed to Melissa Arbuthnot at CommunEcom

ABOUT THE REED GROUP

A privately owned company, The Reed Group was established in 1979. Today the business employs over 300 personnel with offices in New South Wales and Queensland with nine specialised divisions engaged in the design, construction and management for a diverse range of projects.

The company has nine specialised divisions in construction, hospitality, civil, water, interiors, health, property, defence and retail. Current projects include the Queens Square Law Courts in Sydney, Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre redevelopment, Bootawa Dam Water Treatment Plant in Taree on the NSW North Coast, the Falcon Street Pedestrian Bridge, the Southern Sydney Freight Line and the Wollongong Northern Distributor Extension.