An exciting new partnership on the METRONET Lakelands Station project is improving the project’s ability to engage with Aboriginal businesses and employees.

Project contractor ADCO Constructions have engaged Alliance Projects & Consulting (APC), a new Noongar-owned business which specialises in Aboriginal procurement and employment solutions to help facilitate engagement with the local community.

APC Managing Directors Noel Morich and Dominic Panaia are working with ADCO to implement the project’s Aboriginal Engagement and Participation Plan, building a healthy relationship with the traditional custodians of the area and engaging local Aboriginal people to provide monitoring services onsite.

ADCO’s work with APC is important as part of the Gnarla Biddi Strategy, which sets requirements for Aboriginal employment and procurement on each METRONET project.

APC Managing Director Noel Morich said he was glad ADCO had “considered our individual ability in enabling delivery”.

“To be able to work with ADCO to implement Aboriginal engagement strategies at the highest level, and then filter these initiatives down to the staff directly on the ground, has helped in making sure these projects hit their targets,” he said.

The partnership is already leading to great outcomes with an experienced Aboriginal Engagement Lead now working on the project, and business engagement and staff cultural awareness underway.

Lakelands Station is between Warnbro and Mandurah stations and will give residents of Lakelands, Madora Bay and surrounds a new travel option to help ease growing demand.