The Northern Connector project continues to set a new benchmark generating economic benefits for South Australia, with more than $200 million in contracts awarded so far to local businesses.

Danny Parkinson, Project Director from Lendlease said, “its really exciting to see local businesses get on board to help deliver the Northern Connector, including major South Australian businesses, Liberty OneSteel, Boral and Adelaide Brighton Cement.”

The combined value of these three contracts alone is in excess of $60 million.

• Liberty OneSteel has been awarded a contract to provide reinforcing steel for the project. In total, approximately 6,500 tonnes of billet will be sourced from the Whyalla steelworks.
• Boral has been awarded a contract to supply asphalt and quarry products, sourced from South Australian quarries.
• Adelaide Brighton Ltd has been awarded contracts to provide materials for the concrete pavement including cement, slag, aggregate and sand, as well as premix concrete for the construction of bridge structures and the concrete pavement.

The Northern Connector will be the first major concrete road in South Australia and will provide significant economic benefit to the state, contributing at least $11 million to the local industry and supporting more than 40 extra jobs.

A concrete batch plant has recently been assembled at the project’s main compound, NorthHub at Waterloo Corner, and when fully commissioned will produce an estimated $175,000 cubic metres of concrete, equivalent to approximately 70 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Over 95% of the materials required for the concrete pavement will be supplied by local SA businesses.

Since construction commenced in October last year, 140 work packages have been advertised to local industry and of the packages awarded, approximately 90% of the value are being fulfilled by local businesses, delivering a clear social and economic dividend to South Australia.

Ian Nightingale, Industry Advocate said, “industry participation in government contracts is critical to the growing economy, creating jobs and supporting the diversification of South Australia’s industry sectors”.