Local jobs to be supported through $261m NSW Newell Highway upgrade

The New South Wales Government is pushing ahead with the delivery of major upgrades to the Newell Highway and the $1.7 billion program of works has reached a new milestone. 

Works are set to get underway in July on a $261 million upgrade between Narrabri and Moree following the announcement of Fulton Hogan as the head contractor for the project. Not only will this project provide a better road infrastructure, but it will also generate local jobs and business opportunities during its construction phase. 

“Fulton Hogan was successful in a competitive tender process to win the opportunity to lead construction and appointment of trades on the $261 million jointly funded project on the Newell Highway, set to start in coming weeks. 

“This is fantastic news for the local community as so many relationships and contacts are already in place following the completion last year of the nearby Mungle Back Creek to Boggabilla upgrade project which was also led by the company. 

“We are collaborating with industry and training providers to train up local people, to grow the local construction workforce and to leave a skills legacy that will endure far beyond the life of the upgrade program,” NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said. 

In addition, Fulton Hogan is planning to establish mentor-style training to help welcome new participants into the industry, enabling them to take full advantage of work opportunities and to upskill for the future. 

This Newell Highway upgrade is part of the State Government’s record $14.5 billion spend in regional roads and transport infrastructure. 

According to local Aboriginal senior Uncle Lloyd Munro, as someone who works with many agencies in the Moree area, he is excited to be able to work closely again with Transport for NSW and Fulton Hogan. 

“I really value the relationships that our community have built with Transport and Fulton Hogan in the Moree area. They have ensured the young ones in our Aboriginal communities have excellent opportunities. It’s a double bonus – they get skilled up and then they stay in the region,” Uncle Lloyd said. 

Project map (source: Transport for NSW)

Drop-in sessions for job seekers and local businesses who are interested in working on the project will be conducted at the Tourist Hotel in Narrabri on 15 June 2022 and at the Max Centre Ballroom in Moree on 16 June 2022. 

“These will be networking sessions for local jobseekers to talk directly to the Fulton Hogan and Transport for NSW project teams about the suite of opportunities available as part of the main construction package of work. 

“Job opportunities will inlcude everything from concrete and quarry supply to electrical and plumbing services, catering, accommodation, truck and equipment hire, recruitment, waste management, PPE and cleaning,” Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said. 

With Indigenous people making up about 17 per cent of the total population in the Moree to Narrabri area and about 16 per cent of the working age population, an Aboriginal Participation Plan was developed for the project to help meet the New South Wales Government’s requirements of about 1.5 per cent of the contract value as well as the Australian Government’s target of 12 per cent of full-time positions undertaken by Indigenous employees. 

The first stage of works on the Newell Highway upgrade between Narrabri and Moree will begin in July 2022 and be completed in early 2026. 

Stage 1 will deliver a total of 27.3 kilometres of heavy duty pavement upgrades along four priority sections – 1, 2, 3 and 5 – between Narrabir and Moree. 

The project will include: 

• Providing a heavy duty pavement to meet the existing and future freight needs along this section of the Newell Highway 
• Widening the existing highway or constructing a new two-lane highway adjacent to the existing highway of 3.5-metre lanes, 2-metre shoulders and 1-metre-wide centreline cross section 
• Providing new 1.5-kilometre-long dedicated overtaking lanes in five sections 
• Upgrading intersections and right turning lanes 
• Retaining or improving the 110-kilometre design speed alignments 
• Improving access to private property and bus stop layouts 
• Upgrading drainage structures to improve flood immunity for the highway 

Source: NSW Government – Transport for NSW (1, 2)