Water Corporation will pursue a private buyer for its in-house Engineering and Construction Services team.
Water Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Sue Murphy, said over the last decade the utility had focused on building new infrastructure to support rapid growth and meet the demands of a drying climate.
“We are well advanced in our strategy to drought-proof Perth, so our operational priorities are shifting, and we now need to focus on upgrading and maintaining the assets we have,” Mrs Murphy said.
“As the need to construct new assets will continue to reduce, we have taken the opportunity to review the future role of the team.”
“The decision has been made to pursue a private buyer to ensure the workforce has the greatest opportunity to retain employment.”
“It will not affect the consistently high level of service we provide to our customers across the state.”
A sale process will begin in the coming weeks, with an Expression of Interest seeking suitable prospective buyers.
Mrs Murphy said preliminary market sounding had shown a strong level of interest from the local market.
“We are confident that there will be a suitable buyer to reach the best outcome for employees, our business, and the new owner,” Mrs Murphy said.
Water Corporation expects to determine the successful new owner by mid-2015.
The team comprises a workforce of 152 permanent employees, who provide in-house civil construction and mechanical and electrical fabrication and construction services.
For information on the Invitation for Expressions of Interest that will be released shortly, please contact Water Corporation’s Contracts Branch at tenderbox@watercorporation.com.au.
