Major infrastructure project exceeds Aboriginal employment target
12 July 2017
SA Government: The $985 million Northern Connector has achieved a significant milestone in boosting Aboriginal economic participation in the delivery of the project.
Minister Maher has announced during NAIDOC Week that more than 70 Aboriginal employees have been inducted by the head contractor, Lendlease, and represent 11 per cent of all onsite hours, significantly exceeding the two per cent target.
The project has also directly engaged several local Aboriginal-owned businesses within the supply chain.
Key achievements include:
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Aboriginal-owned business, Intract, is one of five industry partners that deliver significant portions of the Northern Connector Project with Lendlease. Intract is delivering the shared-user path along the full 16km of the project. Its engagement on the project has allowed for investment in new equipment and upskilling of the workforce.
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The engagement of ART Services has enabled the project to provide opportunities for approximately 20 additional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees per month including construction workers, plant operators and cultural heritage monitors and also operate onsite catering through Cafe de Kaurna. An Aboriginal Workforce Participation Coordinator has been appointed to support ongoing recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the project.
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Partnerships with organisations such as CareerTrackers, Flinders University and the Northern Adelaide State Secondary Schools Association (NASSSA) are being developed to deliver work experience and internship opportunities for Indigenous high school and university students on the Project.
Background
The Northern Connector will be a six-lane, 15.5km motorway providing a vital freight and commuter link between the Northern Expressway, North-South Motorway, Salisbury Highway and Port River Expressway.
The project is exceeding local participation requirements including:
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At least 90% of all on-site labour hours to be undertaken by South Australians.
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At least 50% of all jobs to be filled by northern suburbs residents. -
At least 20% of all on-site labour hours to be undertaken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, apprentices, trainees and cadets, displaced automatic workers, people facing barriers to employment and training and upskilling the workforce.
The
Australian Government is committing $788 million to the project,
with $197 million from the
South Australian Government.
The Northern Economic Plan project is scheduled for completion in
December 2019.
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Source: South Australian Government - www.premier.sa.gov.au
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