A Tasmanian joint venture established by Hazell Bros Group Pty Ltd and Brady Marine & Civil Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract for major works that form part of the $240 million Devonport East QuayLink project.

The appointment for the work on the eastern side of the Mersey River – which will deliver a new berth pocket, wharf structure and reclamation area at the existing Berth 3E for the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels – follows an extensive competitive design development and evaluation process.

About 45,000 cubic metres of material will be excavated from the new berth pocket. The material will be dewatered on the adjacent land area and, if suitable, will be reused to construct the new reclamation area.

The works will also involve new wharf infrastructure, the largest built in Tasmania in 27 years with some 3,000 tonnes of concrete and 600 tonnes of reinforcing steel to be used in the construction.

Importantly, the Hazell Brady Joint Venture contract ensures opportunities for local businesses to provide goods and services to the companies.

TasPorts chief executive officer Anthony Donald said nearly two thirds of the contract’s value would be spent with Tasmanian businesses.

Mr Donald said new, larger vessels being commissioned for operation on Bass Strait would increase the freight capacity of the Port of Devonport by about 40 per cent, along with additional passenger numbers.

“Project QuayLink will future-proof Devonport as Tasmania’s tourism and trade gateway for the next 50 years and represents the largest single investment in TasPorts’ history,” he said.

“It is easy to understand why this contract decision is such an important one for TasPorts, the project and the state.”

Hazell Bros CEO, Geoffrey Hazell said the QuayLink Project would engage all aspects of the Hazell Bros business and create more jobs, not just at the project site but also in its quarries and at concrete batching plants.

“During the construction phase we will have around 50 people working on site and 30 off site,” Mr Hazell said.

“Hazell Bros is proudly Tasmanian and wants to see Tasmania grow and prosper for the benefit of all who work and live here, and we welcome the opportunity to be part of this major infrastructure project,” he said.

“It is projects like this that provide our workers with opportunities for training and development and to learn new skills which will benefit the wider community into the future.”

Brady Marine & Civil are a marine infrastructure specialist with a national portfolio of successful wharf projects including the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal and the Garden Island wharf upgrade in Sydney.

Brady Marine & Civil Managing Director, Paul Brady said the QuayLink project provided an opportunity for Brady to reconnect and strengthen a relationship with the Hazell Group which started at the Nyrstar Hobart wharf extension and reconstruction in 2015.

“Brady intends to bring specialist equipment and personnel to the project, supplemented by support from local subcontractors and suppliers,” Mr Brady said.

The works will commence this calendar year.

For more information go to www.tasports.com.au/quaylink