“Our members have been marshalling resources in expectation of these packages coming to market, and will welcome the Government’s decisive action on the heels of Saturday’s election result,” says Roads Australia President, David Stuart-Watt.
“As we said early in the campaign, transport was always going to be the big winner in this election. Victorians have made a clear decision on the road and rail solutions they want to see constructed over the next four years and beyond.”
Mr Stuart-Watt say while today’s call for expressions of interest is a significant step forward and good news for Victorians and the construction industry, it also highlights the continuing pressure on industry capacity.
“There is currently a massive pipeline of work being rolled out along Australia’s east-coast, and industry resources are becoming more and more stretched,” he says.
“Notwithstanding, it’s encouraging to see governments – including Victoria’s – working closely with industry to identify both short and long-term solutions.”
Mr Stuart-Watt has also urged the Andrews Government to continue working with industry to develop more flexible contracting arrangements.
“At this month’s Transport and Infrastructure Council (TIC) meeting in Sydney, Federal, state and territory ministers endorsed a set of high-level principles that put a more collaborative approach to procurement, project management and risk allocation squarely on state agendas,” he says.
“Ministers also undertook to report back within 12 months on actions taken by their jurisdictions to support the high-level principles.
“As a member of the Construction Industry Leadership Forum, Roads Australia is keen to continue working with the Andrews Government to identify innovative procurement models and forms of contracting that will achieve the best value and long-term benefit for taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects.”
Mr Stuart-Watt said the North East Link project was also good news for Victorians on the employment margins.
“The Victorian Government has been at the forefront of social procurement and diversity policies and programs aimed at providing greater training and employment opportunities for women, indigenous, long-term unemployed and disabled Victorians,” he said.