$2.2bn Coffs Harbour Bypass project to focus on local employment

The delivery of the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass project in New South Wales will bring in significant benefits to the local workforce as the project delivery team – the Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture – focuses on employing local contractors and workers. 

According to Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, the “local first” approach used in the procurement process will inject millions of dollars into the region as well as ensure that majority of jobs created through the project will remain within the community. 

“More than half the leadership team for the major works contractor are locally based. 

“The Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture has appointed several experienced constructors who live in the Coffs Harbour, Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions. 

“The joint venture partners have found plenty of experienced road and tunnel builders who live locally and want to be part of this legacy building project. Their connection with the area will also help ensure local subcontractors and suppliers are used wherever possible,” Mr Singh said. 

Several locals have been employed to be on the leadership team by the Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture, and they are considered invaluable in the planning and delivery of the new Coffs Harbour Bypass. 

“Knowing local travel patterns, the major events and weather systems will help manage interactions with the community and improve safety during construction. 

“This region is filled with talented and knowledgeable people who would make all the difference when delivering this project. 

“Having so many locals involved in the project also means the local economy will benefit from the construction spending, but housing availability will not be impacted as heavily as it might have been,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said. 

Project map (source: Pacific Highway Upgrade)

The Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture team has already appointed several Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers locals in permanent roles including construction manager, safety manager, people manager, environment manager, quality manager, survey manager, general superintendent and office manager. 

In late November 2022, the joint venture partners along with Transport for NSW hosted an industry event where they discussed how Mid North and North Coast businesses can get involved in the delivery of the project. 

The procurement process for the Coffs Harbour Bypass project is now underway and will continue through 2023, with more than 300 varied work packages that will require suppliers and subcontractors. 

The $2.2 billion transport infrastructure development will deliver a 14-kilometre bypass that includes new tunnels, interchanges, access roads as well as a new bus interchange at Kororo Public School. 

Once open to traffic, the Coffs Harbour Bypass will slash travel times by 12 minutes and enable motorists to bypass up to 12 sets of traffic lights. The bypass will also remove thousands of vehicles from the Coffs Harbour CBD. 

Construction is anticipated to commence in March 2023, with the Coffs Harbour Bypass due to open to traffic from late 2026 and fully completed in late 2027. 

The project is estimated to create approximately 600 direct jobs during its construction. 

For more information on job opportunities on the Coffs Harbour Bypass project, you can visit the project’s dedicated page on the Pacific Highway Upgrade website here. 

Source: Transport for NSW; Pacific Highway Upgrade – Coffs Harbour Bypass; NSW Government – Coffs Harbour Bypass Web Portal