Video, photos: Bechtel equipment auctioned off cheap

A BIG crowd turned out for the first live auction of the Bechtel demobilisation in Gladstone yesterday with more than 280 international, interstate and local bidders competing for 333 lots.

Bechtel auctioned the equipment, from cars, copper cables, toolboxes, shipping containers, lighting towers and power generators because it was easier than transporting it to other jobs.

Bidding was broadcast online with most of the equipment heading interstate and overseas for other construction sites.

Auction house Hassalls director Chris Hassall said 89% of the equipment was leaving Queensland.

"A lot is going in trucks to New South Wales because they are in a construction boom," he said.

Bechtel general manager Kevin Berg said the prices the lots were selling for was a fraction of the price paid.

"We bought quality and the shape the gear is in makes it good value," he said.

"I'm not only (impressed with the auction) I am having fun."

Caught up in the excitement was Baffle Creek resident Herman Van Be Beek.

"I was going to look at a little generator but these ones are too big," he said.

"I took the hour drive up and should've brought some beer with me to watch the auctions."