The Hervey Bay Observer reported it had been contacted by three truck drivers who had been carting aggregate from a mainland quarry to Curtis Island, where Bechtel is building three LNG projects.

The report did not identify which project or projects were involved.

The paper said the truckies were “furious” that their contracts, along with 80-100 other drivers, were ended without any warning on Thursday.

While the truckies reportedly understood that all the materials needed had been carted to the island, they complained they were not given enough notice and were worried that this had not left them enough time to find new jobs.

Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg told the Observer the company had given its subcontractors the appropriate notice under the contracts.

"As with all construction projects, it is normal to progressively demobilise as contracts come to completion in alignment with the construction schedule," he reportedly said.

"The project is moving into a new phase of construction and as a result much of the work of transporting aggregate by truck is now complete.

"The level of notification from Bechtel to the subcontractor was within the contract agreement. Subcontractors are responsible for the notification given to their employees."

Berg was reported as saying that Bechtel was still actively recruiting across all three LNG projects.

"There are still many opportunities for positions on these construction projects, both directly with Bechtel and with our subcontractors,” he told the paper.

"Our recruitment team is willing to talk to anyone that has transferable skills and is willing to be redeployed.”

Bechtel is building the Queensland Curtis LNG Project for BG Group, Santos’ Gladstone LNG and the Australia Pacific LNG project for ConocoPhillips and Origin Energy.

This article first appeared in ILN's sister publication ConstructionIndustryNews.net.