Industry leaders gather to discuss Coffs Bypass opportunities Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 30, 2022 Some 250 constriction employees fill the presentation room for the Coffs Harbour Bypass information session for construction suppliers. 250 CONSTRUCTION suppliers representing 150 businesses, mainly local to the Coffs and Mid North Coasts, attended the Coffs Harbour Bypass industry event hosted by members of the Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture (JV) at Pacific Bay Resort on Friday 25 November 2022. The Ferrovial Gamuda JV has been awarded the $1.35 billion major works design and construct contract to build the bypass project on behalf of the NSW and Australian Governments. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Local businesses and suppliers interested in being part of building the Coffs Harbour Bypass were invited to the project briefing and networking event with the major works contractors speaking and mingling at the event, discussing upcoming opportunities to work on the project. The purpose of the gathering was to focus on the program and scope of works, contestable packages and the tender assessment process for suppliers to understand what packages are available for them to apply for. The presentation was followed by a brief Q&A with attendees keen to take up the opportunity to network. Key speakers were Stakeholder and Communications Manager at Gamuda Engineering (Australia), for the Ferrovial Gamuda JV, Peter McCabe; Coffs Harbour Bypass Deputy Project Director, Ferrovial Gamuda JV, Nick Armaos; and Coffs Harbour Bypass Commercial Director Sydney Metro West at Transport for NSW, Troy Lee. Also speaking was Industry Capability Network (ICN) Regional Manager for the Hunter and North East Region of NSW, Dusko Bajic. ICN is the organisation which introduces businesses of all sizes to projects large and small across NSW, and to a network of experienced industry procurement and supply chain specialists. Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, a big supporter of the Coffs Harbour bypass, welcomed attendees to the event. Commenting on the advantages of employing the local workforce, Mr Singh said, “Having local knowledge helps with local challenges”, and encouraged everyone to network with the Ferrovial Gamuda JV team after the presentations. Before Peter McCabe began the high-level briefing, attendees heard a Welcome to Country from Uncle Alex who spoke about Gumbaynggirr country. “We are sitting on Gumbaynggirr land, welcome,” he finished. Peter presented a project overview including objectives such as travel time savings, road capacity to meet traffic demand and safer road conditions. According to the estimated timeline, the establishment of the project site office is due to commence at the start of December, the Construction Environmental Management Plan is being prepared and major works are expected to commence in March 2023. Nick Armaos spoke about key construction challenges such as resourcing and timely supply of plant and materials, the impacts of high rainfall in the Coffs basin, environmental impacts to adjacent properties, farms and waterways, constructing complex intersections under live traffic, and managing community expectations through construction. Nick shared details of the JV’s agreement to Aboriginal Participation in Construction, saying there is a minimum requirement by contract to engage 5.7 percent of Aboriginal employees. Troy Lee from Transport for NSW said the procurement promise is “Coffs first”. ”It’s like a ripple in a pond, we seek to source locally, then regionally, then state, then nationally, then internationally,” he said. Troy referred to the 300-plus construction packages that will be available throughout the process, how companies can be involved and the tender assessment, through ICN, Supply Nation and to email procurement@CHBTeam.com.au More information is available at www.pacifichighway.nsw.gov.au/coffsharbourbypass. Dusko Bajic gave an employment forecast stating that 230 white collar roles and 500-plus workforce roles will soon be on offer. He then advised how people can apply for the jobs through local job agencies, Seek and Ferrovial and Gamuda Australia’s LinkedIn pages. He said a professional CV gives you the best chance, advising applicants to keep it “short and relevant”. Resumes can be directed to employment@CHBteam.com.au. By Andrea FERRARI Construction suppliers, many local to the Mid North Coast, attended the Ferrovial Gamuda JV industry meeting. Uncle Alex gives a Welcome to Country, welcoming guests to Gumbaynggirr land. Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh speaks to the importance of employing locals with local knowledge for local challenges. Attendees at the Bypass industry event networking after the presentations. Pacific Bay Resort hosts the Coffs Harbour Bypass industry event.
