Main Roads has taken out top honours at this year’s IPAA Achievement Awards, in the category of Corporate Social Values, for their Aboriginal employment and participation numbers on major regional projects in the State’s North-West.
The awards, presented on June 28, recognised individual and organisational excellence by showcasing projects, initiatives, programs and organisations that demonstrate best practice and contribute significantly to the public service and broader community.
Four major projects in the Kimberley region combined to win Main Roads the award – the Broome Cape Leveque Road project, Bidyadanga Access Road and Airstrip sealing, Bow River Bridge, and the Great Northern Highway project – Maggie Creek to Wyndham.
Each of these projects fostered key partnerships with a number of training organisations in the Kimberley region, to provide a skilled workforce capable of completing the work on-time and within budget. In addition, mandatory targets for Aboriginal engagement were implemented as a primary objective on each project, supporting the State Government’s aim of establishing sustainable opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses.
Both the Bidyadanga Access Road and Broome Cape Leveque Road projects were directly managed by Main Roads, enabling the engagement of mainly local contractors, providing opportunities to Aboriginal communities to participate in the works.
The Bow River Bridge and Great Northern Highway projects were delivered through construction contracts, which provided many opportunities for Aboriginal engagement through a number of mechanisms including a ‘Work Ready’ program to attract, identify and engage local Aboriginal people.
Main Roads’ winning submission also detailed the development of the Agency’s new Aboriginal employment initiatives, in close consultation with representatives from Aboriginal communities, other Government agencies and industry contractors.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The State Government is actively seeking to create and maintain meaningful relationships with Aboriginal communities, people and businesses across the State.
“This IPAA award for Best Practice in Corporate Social Values recognises the achievements being made by Main Roads when it comes to Aboriginal employment and participation numbers on major regional projects in the State’s North-West.”
As stated by Finance and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“I congratulate Main Roads for the leadership they have shown in Aboriginal procurement.
“They have shown the way in encouraging Aboriginal businesses and helping them build capacity, boost the local economy and jobs while also providing value to WA taxpayers.”
