Brisbane-based cement manufacturer and supplier Wagners Precast has been contracted to produce 25,000 concrete segments for the tunnels of south-east Queensland’s new underground rail system.
In making the announcement, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the contract will support 70 local jobs at the company’s facility at Wacol.
“Construction is a vital part of our plan for Queensland’s continued economic recovery from the global impact of COVID-19, and the Cross River Rail project has multiple aspects – building new stations, drilling tunnels and manufacturing materials,” the Premier said.
“Hundreds of local businesses are benefitting from work related to the project. In this case here at Wacol we have a 100 per cent Queensland-owned company employing local workers to build the concrete walls that will line the 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels.”
Wagners CEO Cameron Coleman said work is now underway on the massive task to produce the 25,000 concrete segments.
“This means more job security for existing staff and new job opportunities for the extra staff we will take on now that work has started,” he continued.
“Covid obviously has everyone worried, so the start of work couldn’t come soon enough and its fantastic that the Government has been able to keep going with construction of Cross River Rail.”
Premier Palaszczuk said 7,500 jobs will be created throughout the life of the Cross River Rail project, along with 450 opportunities for trainees and apprentices.
“We’ve been clear and consistent – we want to see Queensland companies and Queensland workers benefitting from the biggest infrastructure project this state has ever seen,” the Premier added.
“Wagners’ work with Cross River Rail is a great example of what we can achieve by prioritising local companies and local employees.”
