Graeme Newton has been made the permanent CEO of the Cross River Rail Authority, following an international recruitment search.
From mid-June, Newton was the acting head of the Authority on secondment from Deloitte Australia.
Newton has worked in a number of infrastructure leadership positions, including the role of director-general for the Department of Infrastructure and Planning and the coordinator-general under the State Department and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
Queensland’s deputy premier and infrastructure and transport minister, Jackie Trad, said that Newton was an appropriate choice given his previous experience in the industry.
“Graeme Newton is an outstanding appointment – he has more than 25 years’ experience in the infrastructure sector and has delivered large-scale and complex infrastructure projects in both the public and private sector,” Trad said.
“The Palaszczuk government fully funded Cross River Rail in our State Budget and with this appointment, we are demonstrating that we are focussed on getting on with building it.”
An industry briefing for the project will be held in Brisbane next Wednesday, which Trad said would be providing construction and engineering companies with information about the procurement process.
“And when we open formal Expressions of Interest in September, our Buy Queensland policy will be in force.”
Announced last month, the policy means that Queensland businesses are given priority over interstate and international suppliers for government purchases, regardless of whether their prices are higher.
“[The Buy Queensland policy] means more opportunities for Queensland businesses and workers to be involved in winning work as part of the $5.4 billion project,” Trad said.
“Cross River Rail is vital for Queensland because it will unlock economic growth in the outer suburbs and regions, especially the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Caboolture and the Redlands.”
Next Wednesday’s industry briefing will be held at the Pullman Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane from 2:00pm. Procurement approach, details of major work packages, delivery strategy, commercial considerations and governance for the Cross River Rail project will be outlined.