With major works now completed on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of Inland Rail and just a few weeks of minor works remaining, the latest employment figures have shown how many people it takes to deliver one section of the 1,600km rail project.
February’s figures show it took 596 people to complete major works on the section – the total number of people directly employed by contractor Martinus working in the rail corridor to deliver the project.
Some 55 of those people are First Nations, while 184 are local residents and 60 are women.
The figures also stated $12.2 million was spent with local businesses and $427,400 spent with First Nations businesses Australia-wide.
Major works at the Daroobalgie Loop, Lachlan River Bridge, Forbes Station and Wyndham Avenue have now been completed and the number of people needed on site has reduced, reflecting the progress made.
Construction will begin in the Albury to Illabo and Illabo to Stockinbingal sections of the Inland Rail project later this year.
Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Executive Director Program Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability said: “We have been able to complete major works on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of Inland Rail thanks to the hard work and dedication of the workers and businesses who have been supporting us.
“We have a stated goal of delivering Inland Rail south of Parkes by 2027 so it is important to be able to finish major works on this section, and we can only be as successful as the teams on the ground putting in the hard yards.
“It is demanding work to upgrade rail infrastructure – it requires accuracy, safety and physical effort, often in testing conditions and sometimes while wearing hot and heavy protective equipment.”
Jones expressed his gratitude to the locals who have worked on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, some of whom have joined the industry through the Inland Rail Skills Academy.
“The skills which have enabled these local workers to deliver this section safely and on time will also be of enormous benefit on other parts of Inland Rail when they go into the construction phase later this year.
“Inland Rail is not just about helping the Australian economy, it is also about delivering ongoing opportunities and benefits at a local level.”
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