The government is throwing the doors open to local businesses to fill in excess of 10,000 jobs and contracts worth millions for the project, set to cost $15.8 billion.
When complete, the North East Link will deliver the freeway network in Melbourne’s missing link, cut travel times for motorists by more than half an hour, and carry an estimated 135,000 vehicles a day. Transport Infrastructure Minister, Jacinta Allan encouraged local small businesses to raise their hands to take part in the build, saying:
“North East Link is a huge project that will change how we move around our city forever – and we need all hands on deck to build it.”
The list of businesses required for the project is extensive ranging from concreters, bricklayers and carpenters to landscapers, roof services, building trades, electricians and plumbers.
Opportunities will also be available for mechanics, office administration, architects, engineering consulting and design, mapping and surveying services, heating and air conditioning services, safety gear suppliers, training providers and services for traffic management. Marketing services such as flyer printing can be used by businesses and organisations to help initiatives such as this hit the ground running.
Employees and businesses will also be offered additional training and reskilling opportunities as well as a special business-support package.