Opportunities for Gippsland, its businesses, and community
On December 2nd, GROW Gippsland facilitated a briefing event for the two shortlisted contractors bidding for the half a billion-dollar Gippsland Line Upgrade project.
Representatives from the VicConnect Consortium; comprising UGL Limited, Decmil and Arup, and the CJWS Consortium; comprising CPB Contractors, John Holland, WSP and SMEC gathered at Latrobe Valley Enterprises in Morwell to meet with a selection of agencies that support the Gippsland region.
Guest speakers from Latrobe Valley Enterprises, the Latrobe Valley Authority, Industry Capability Network, Federation University, the Gippsland Employment Facilitator program, Department of Education and Training and Gippsland Business Connect each provided an overview of the services and support they can offer the successful bidder on the project.
Information on how to procure from a social enterprise, government support including employment programs focussing on key demographics in Gippsland, where to post EOIs to engage local suppliers, education providers inspiring the next generations into industries compatible with rail projects and a business to business networking platform was shared to the attentive guests.
The consortia were then given time to discuss their ideas for the project with industry representatives.
The session enabled fantastic discussions around the social and local procurement and employment opportunities that the Gippsland Line Upgrade presents, creating an excitement about the opportunities coming up for the region, its businesses and community as the project moves from procurement to delivery.
The package of works between Pakenham and Traralgon will deliver second platforms and station amenity works at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon stations, track duplication between Bunyip and Longwarry, an extension of the Morwell crossing loop, level crossing upgrades, signalling upgrades and drainage structure upgrades at Morwell River.
GROW Gippsland will work closely with Rail Projects Victoria and the successful bidder to identify opportunities to boost the local economy through engaging local suppliers and creating employment opportunities for the Gippsland region.
The works are expected to begin in late 2020 and are targeted for completion in late 2022.
For more information on the Gippsland Line Upgrade, visit: https://regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au/gippsland