Published on Thursday, 30 July 2026 at 2:36:31 PM
One day, residents of a small West Australian town noticed that one of their local roads was becoming rough, cracked, and difficult to drive on. The road had carried school buses, farm vehicles, emergency services, and local traffic for many years, but it was now time for major works.
The local government recognised the need to improve the road and allocated funding for the project. However, rather than simply selecting a contractor they already knew, they followed a process called a Request for Tender (RFT).
An RFT is an invitation for qualified contractors to submit a proposal outlining how they would carry out works, their experience with similar projects, the resources they would use, and the cost of delivering the project.
Following the release of the tender, road construction companies prepared submissions. One contractor offered innovative construction methods, another demonstrated extensive experience working in regional areas, while others highlighted their strong safety records and ability to complete the works within the required timeframe.
The local government then assessed each tender against a set of predetermined criteria. While price was an important consideration, it was not the only one. Factors such as quality, safety, contractor experience, project methodology, environmental management, and value for money were also carefully evaluated.
By using a tender process, the local government could ensure that all interested businesses had a fair opportunity to compete for the work. The process promotes transparency, accountability, and competition, helping to ensure public funds are spent responsibly and that the community receives the best possible outcome.
When reconstruction was finally completed, residents enjoyed a safer, smoother, and more reliable road. School buses travelled more comfortably, freight moved more efficiently, and motorists benefited from improved driving conditions.
That is why West Australian local governments use a tender process. It helps ensure that major road projects are delivered fairly, transparently, and in the best interests of the community, providing confidence that ratepayer and public funds are being used wisely.
In the Shire of Gnowangerup’s case, two tenders have been recently published for works which have been identified as high priority. The first, the resheeting of sections of Jackitup West Road, Jackitup North Road, Magitup Road and Willemenup Road, is a renewal process that involves placing, shaping, and compacting a fresh layer of new gravel, typically 100mm to 150mm thick, onto an existing worn unsealed road surface. The second, the reconstruction works in multiple sections of Tieline and Ongerup-Pingrup Road, will address existing pavement failures including potholes, rutting and cracking etc.
It is the Shire’s aim to complete these tender processes to ensure our road projects delivery high-quality road infrastructure and the best outcomes for our community.
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