Mackay construction company Fergus Builders has been awarded the contract to build the $7 million Resources Centre of Excellence.

The $3.28 million contract includes construction of an administration building, workshop, laboratory, landscaping and utilities.

The next stage of development will include fit-out of an underground mining simulator.

Assistant Minister for State Development and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the awarding of the tender to Fergus Builders was a major step forward in the delivery of the centre.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to partner with Mackay Regional Council to deliver a world-class facility that will drive research and innovation in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“It will also provide improved training opportunities for the new wave of apprentices entering the industry.

“Mackay is one of Queensland’s major resource industry support hubs, and this new centre of excellence will leverage off existing local expertise and further advance the state’s METS vision.”

Mackay Regional Council is managing the delivery of the Resources Centre of Excellence on council-owned land at Crichtons Rd, Paget, with the facility to be operated by the Resource Industry Network once complete.

Construction works are due to begin soon, with completion scheduled for March 2020.