Indigenous case studies

Case study – Bow River Bridge, WA

 

BMD Constructions delivered the Bow River Bridge upgrade project in the Western Kimberly region for Main Roads Western Australia. The project included the construction of a new two lane concrete bridge as well as realignment of 2.3 kilometres of highway prior to demolishing the existing infrastructure.

 

Case study – Tiger Brennan Drive, NT

BMD Constructions successfully collaborated with the Northern Territory Government Department of Infrastructure to deliver the $88 million Tiger Brennan Drive Duplication in Darwin.

BMD delivered the project under a managing contractor delivery method, which is a first in a public civil project for the Territory, and resulted in a number of smaller contracts tendered, providing the opportunity for local businesses to become involved.

With the project vision ‘Driving growth in the Territory’, significant focus was placed on enhancing local capacity, value for money and Indigenous engagement with minimal traffic disruption and engaging the community’s support.

With significant non-cost criteria stipulated by the client during the tender phase, BMD Constructions invested substantial time and resources in upskilling and training local contractors, ensuring that the project met Indigenous engagement, training, program and cost targets. The project surpassed many milestones since construction commenced in December 2014 including a peak Indigenous workforce of 23.5%.

BMD Constructions’ senior management met with the Traditional Custodians prior to the start of the construction and undertook cultural awareness training to truly understand and appreciate the context of the region.

The project team hosted a toolbox breakfast for National Reconciliation Week at the end of May 2016, with over 150 site and office personnel in attendance. Reconciliation can only be achieved through knowledge and the breakfast provided an opportunity for employees to connect and take notice of reconciliation. Tiger Brennan Drive further established a site visit program with the Clontarf Foundation enabling young Indigenous men from the program to learn about construction environments and career opportunities.

In addition, a pilot program was implemented as a joint venture initiative between CEO Training and ICRG North and provided a value add to the project, funded through the NT Department of Business to support Indigenous training and employment. As part of the program, 14 operator trainees were engaged to complete a Certificate III Plant Operations certificate, with all trainees approaching the program with positive attitudes and a willingness to learn.

BMD is proud to have delivered on all project objectives meeting client expectations, including improving safety and pedestrian movement at intersections, improving connectivity with eased congestion and improvement in traffic flow, whilst catering for long-term growth in the area.

 

Case study – Tully Alliance, QLD

Upon commencement of the Tully Alliance project, the Alliance adopted BMD’s culture of “supporting the local communities in which we operate” by engaging 80 plant hire and earth moving operators, 33 subcontractors and their staff and 41 material and service providers from the Tully region.

The implementation of training for Indigenous employees on the Tully Alliance project was so successful that the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation recommended the model of engagement be used as a template for engagement of traditional owners for all future construction projects.

The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation stated that the Tully Alliance had “contributed to the self-esteem and self-worth of our Indigenous employees, that wearing the Alliance shirt had instilled in our guys a sense of pride and achievement” and recommended that the Tully Alliance experience be carried forward to develop a best practice model.