The local economy has been given a boost with various Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) works contracts awarded to regional businesses.
GMW is one of northern Victoria’s largest employees. The water corporation manages 23 lakes, dams, and reservoirs in addition to approximately 10,000km of drainage and delivery infrastructure.
While GMW employs various construction staff of its own, during the busier periods and when specialist skills are required, it often hires contractors.
Congupna-based business Apex Earthworks is one such contractor, having recently been awarded a major contract from GMW to replace three rail culverts in the water corporation’s delivery network.
Apex Earthworks Project Manager Paul Reade said contracts like these were crucial to the business and the region more broadly.
“Apex and GMW have a strong history of working together to deliver water infrastructure projects,” he said.
“We completed works for GMW almost every year of our 40-year history as either Apex or under our previous name Pearse Earthmoving, so they are a major part of our business.
“The large majority our staff are from the region, and between them and our local subcontractors we will have about 40 local people working on the GMW Rail Culvert Replacement project this winter.
“We also prioritise sourcing our materials and supplies locally – including our uniforms and cars – from businesses within our region, so there are a lot of benefits to contracts like these staying local. It creates jobs, upskills people's knowledge and is better for the environment with less travel and transport required.”
Shepparton-based business Fast Track Fabrications has also completed several projects for GMW, including recent maintenance works to the valve at Lake Eppalock.
Fast Track Fabrications Director Daniel Glover said he was pleased to see jobs like this stay in the region.
“We’ve worked with GMW on several projects now,” he said.
“We’re familiar with the works they require and also have a lot of local knowledge in our team.
“Being awarded contracts from organisations in our region is not only great for us but great for the local suppliers we utilise as well.”
Various other major projects GMW is undertaking during its Winter Works program have also been awarded to local businesses, including the Murray Valley Channel refurbishment works and repairs to the high-level boat ramp at Waranga Basin’s Harriman Point.
GMW Infrastructure Delivery Services general manager Warren Jose said the water corporation had benefited from using local expertise when practical.
“We have excellent working relationships with a lot of contractors in our region, having worked with many of them on multiple projects,” he said.
“It is advantageous not only in that we are using contractors who we know are reliable and offer competitive prices, but also in that we create savings by spending less on transporting materials and providing lodging for workers.”
GMW’s Winter Works program runs through to the start of the 2024/25 irrigation season on 15 August.
People can find more information about the program on the GMW website: www.g-mwater.com.au/winter-works