First Nations community discovers Inland Rail opportunities
First Nations community members from the Wagga Wagga region have met Inland Rail officials to learn about potential opportunities on the Albury to Illabo (A2I) section of the Brisbane to Melbourne freight rail project at a very successful information session in Wagga.
December 9, 2022
Attendees were excited about the opportunities available with the A2I Inland Rail project – particularly the training opportunities for First Nations people from the Inland Rail Skills Academy that has so far delivered training to around 2,000 people on the alignment.
ARTC Inland Rail will shortly be launching a range of training and employment opportunities associated with the A2I project as part of its commitment to create meaningful opportunities that deliver lasting benefits for all Australians.
Inland Rail has already spent some $14 million with businesses owned by First Nations people across the project.
On the completed Parkes to Narromine section the project employed more than 300 Indigenous workers with a similar number employed on the ongoing Narrabri to North Star section of the project.
An ARTC Inland Rail spokesperson said:
“We are delighted with the huge success of our engagement Session in Wagga Wagga, which gave us a chance to highlight the opportunities available for First Nations communities on the project.
“Our Indigenous Participation Plan outlines ARTC’s goals for Indigenous participation and how we work with Indigenous communities to share in the benefits that Inland Rail will bring to Australia.
“Many Indigenous communities along the Inland Rail alignment have a long and proud association with Australia’s railways. We want to create new opportunities that will support the next generation of Indigenous Australians in the rail industry.
“As part of that commitment Inland Rail ensures Indigenous participation in all tender assessments and contracts include Indigenous participation targets, and we work with contractors to achieve agreed outcomes.”
