Leigh Creek Transformation - Birubi Australia

The South Australian Government is delivering a $43.6 million program to transform Leigh Creek from a former industry town to become a sustainable open town as a thriving regional tourist hub and government service centre for surrounding northern Flinders Ranges communities.

Maximising opportunities for locally based businessses and people in the region are a priority for this project, including Aboriginal workforce, apprentices and trainees. Local participation in the transformation works provide important economic stimulus for Leigh Creek and surrounding communities.

In the development of the approach to market for this program of works, the Leigh Creek Task Force identified packages of works that could be broken out of the main demolition works to be tendered and delivered by Aboriginal owned and operated businesses located in South Australia. This created an opportunity for greater participation for locally based businesses and people.

Birubi Australia, an authentic, Supply Nation certified Aboriginal-owned and operated company providing civil construction services was successful in winning the contract and delivered the early works perimeter fencing package.

During the delivery of the Early Works Fencing Contract, Birubi reported they achieved:

• 98% expenditure with businesses from the Far North region of South Australia
• 54% expenditure with a South Australian Aboriginal business
• 30% of the workforce identified as First Nation people living in South Australia.

Ongoing outcomes have been achieved through the employment of three local Aboriginal people from Leigh Creek and Copley who have since grown their experience through working on road projects currently being delivered for the Department of Transport and Infrastructure by Birubi in the region.