With around $6 million worth of onsite services awarded to Aboriginal businesses since 2020, and over 48 jobs created for Aboriginal employees, the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension project is exceeding Aboriginal procurement and employment targets.
Excavation works, plant hire, fuel supply and cleaning are just some of the site services being provided and job opportunities vary from plant operators to cleaners and labourers.
METRONET Gnarla Biddi Aboriginal Engagement Strategy Lead Brenton Turner explains that the social impact of the Aboriginal procurement outcomes on the project is significant.
“Many Aboriginal businesses engaged on Yanchep Rail Extension have social enterprises included in their business model where profits are fed back into community initiatives via education and training programs,” Brenton said.
“Kee-Bundu is one business on the project that donated profits from their awarded contract to fund education scholarships for Western Australian high school students. We also know that the Aboriginal business sector is driving employment, training and leadership pathways at an impressive rate.”
Aboriginal-owned business, Marlee Resources provides bore and mechanical servicing on the Yanchep Rail Extension project and is also committed to seeing a higher representation of Aboriginal Australians across the project’s workforce.
“We have experienced substantial job creation since work on the Yanchep Rail Extension project began, which means we can engage more Aboriginal people on country and contribute to a sustainable future for Aboriginal Australians,” Director of Marlee Resources and proud Noongar and Ngadju woman, Tenay Stringer said.
Aboriginal procurement and employment targets for the project are underpinned by the METRONET Gnarla Biddi (Our Pathways) Strategy, a long-term commitment to embed genuine engagement with the Aboriginal community across the METRONET program of works.
METRONET is always looking for Aboriginal businesses to provide local skills, knowledge and jobs across its projects. If you have a registered Aboriginal business or your business is more than 50% Aboriginal-owned and you’re interested in working on a METRONET project, please visit the Construction Business Register.