The tender process for the new cyclone shelters opened last week, according to State Minister for Building Industry Simon Finn.

But hopes that this process would bring new opportunities for local tradies has been somewhat dampened by what Mr Finn describes as a "select tender basis."

"It's known as the prequalification system so builders in locals areas apply to be on the register with the Department of Public Works," Mr Finn told 612 ABC Brisbane.

"They apply to register at the various levels depending on their capacity for the work that they can do.

"The Department then looks at the list of eligible registered tenderers and says 'we would like to invite this list of people to have the opportunity to submit a tender for a particular project.'"

Mr Finn said around 20 building contractors have been "invited" to build the shelters.

When pressed on the point that many builders will be hearing of this selective tender process for the first time and have missed out on the tender process, Mr Finn said that it was important that the shelters be built to exacting specifications.

"The select tender process is targeted at builders who are registered to provide work at a government level, and have the capacity to build a project of the scope of a cyclone shelter.

Mr Finn told the ABC that chosen contractors would have a strong presence in the regions where cyclone shelters are to be built, and used Townsville as an example.

"The contractors that are on the select contractor list are regional contractors with significant presence in particular towns.

"To build a Townsville cyclone shelter the successful tenderer is expected to be a building company either Townsville based or with a very strong presence in Townsville so that the work gets done in Townsville by people in Townsville."

The Newsport has been made aware that an eligible building company could be Queensland based, but would need to at least have an office in the region.

Based on this information it is likely a contractor operating out of Cairns would win the tender for the Port Douglas cyclone shelter.

During his visit to Port Douglas last month, Mr Finn told The Newsport that local tradespeople will have the opportunity to work on the construction of the category five cyclone shelter via the tender process.

"We'll have the advertising for tenders in the coming three to four weeks with the aim of assessing them and decisions ready for the end of the year."

Tenders applications are kept confidential and close on 9 December with successful applicants chosen by the end of 2011. 

Related articles
Cyclone shelter gives hope to local tradies 
Holes in cyclone shelter design 

Have you checked out the region's best photo competition?