Canberra’s ambitious plan to build a new 12 kilometre light rail system is taking off as the two shortlisted consortia have been promoting themselves to local industry across the region.
The two consortia that were shortlisted in March 2015, Canberra Metro and ACTivate, each gave a presentation at a ‘meet the bidders’ networking event that included 100 people representing businesses from Canberra and the surrounding region.
In addition to providing a brief presentation on their background and experience, the two shortlisted consortia detailed the importance of local industry participation and the opportunities available, as well as providing further information on how local industry could prepare for potential involvement with the light rail project.
Local industry has been heavily pushed as a major component to the success of a light rail system in Canberra, as demonstrated by Capital Metro study titled Local Ticket to a Better Canberra: Capital Metro’s Local Industry Participation Policy.
The project is expected to support more than 3,500 jobs during the construction phase alone.
ACT Government Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell said Capital Metro will bring significant economic benefits and opportunities to the whole region.
Mr Corbell said the networking event aimed to help mobilise the local industry so that they can be competitive in their potential to be included in the procurement process.
“The project provides a great opportunity to create local jobs during construction and operation, and also to build ongoing capability that can be called upon to deliver future light rail stages and support other local infrastructure projects,” Mr Corbell said.
He said the ACT Government has asked Canberra Metro and ACTivate to include an option to extend the light rail system through the city and to Russell as part of their proposals.
“Should the government choose to extend the line to Russell, this will present additional opportunities for local business,” Mr Corbell said.
