Cross River Rail opportunities for sub-contractors to be announced

With more than 200 companies across South East Queensland already securing Cross River Rail Contracts, a wave of sub-contractor opportunities for the tunnels and stations work package will be released in the coming weeks.

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said the Cross River Rail project will create thousands of construction jobs over the next five years.

“We’re working hard to make sure that local subbies and workers benefit from the biggest infrastructure project in Queensland’s history,” she says.

“We’ve already seen iconic Queensland company, Wagners awarded a $40 million contract to supply precast concrete segments and we want companies asking themselves ‘could we be the next ones to win?’”

Ms. Jones met with Multhana Property Services, an indigenous company from Eight Mile Plains, contracted to deliver cleaning and maintenance services at the project’s worksites.

“Multhana is a great example of a proud Queensland company benefiting from Cross River Rail,” she said.

“They’re doing a great job and already have eight staff working on the project, with that number set to grow as more worksites are established.”

Ms. Jones revealed a new website would go live tomorrow for companies to register their interest to apply for contracts, through the main contractor.

“This will be the one stop shop for anyone who wants to work on Cross River Rail,” she said.

“If you’re a local subby with the right expertise, we want you to apply to work on the biggest project in Queensland’s history.”

This announcement comes alongside a major reform package announced by Ms. Jones to ensure contractual commitments on the Cross River Rail project are delivered as the project moves into construction phase.

Ms. Jones said her priority was to ensure that Pulse consortium and head contractor CPB Group complied fully with their contract with the State Government to deliver the largest infrastructure project in Queensland’s history.

“Since coming into the role at the end of last year, I have been reviewing the structure of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.”

She said it is clear to her and the Cabinet that now the project has moved from procurement to construction, compliance will need to be strengthened.

“Our government has made strong commitments to Queenslanders to deliver long-term benefits to the state’s future through our record investment in infrastructure,” Ms. Jones said.

“This includes more jobs for locals, more training for young apprentices and trainees and better workplace health and safety, delivering real opportunities for local Queensland businesses to get contracts as well as fair industrial relations practices and environmental compliance.”

Ms. Jones today announced that Cabinet had agreed to the following reforms:

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will report directly to the Minister
A Compliance Unit will be established to ensure all commitments made by the contractor are met during the construction of the project
The board will be restructured once the current term expires in April this year, in line with the transition from procurement to construction

Ms. Jones said Queensland will heed the lessons from southern states experiencing massive contractual disputes that were delaying vital infrastructure.

“We’ve seen delays on the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Metro Tunnel project due to on-going disputes with the builder,” she said.

“And we have all suffered with the NSW stadiums deal debacle that has seen timelines pushed out and the Grand Final being played at a cricket ground for up to three years.”

Ms. Jones said that the Compliance Unit would be established immediately.