HumeLink powers local businesses and jobs as construction ramps up

Transgrid’s delivery partners have already invested more than $90 million in supply contracts with 348 local and First Nations businesses in the Riverina and Southern Tablelands, supporting local jobs and commercial growth.

HumeLink Program Director John Burke said procuring goods and services locally maximises economic benefits for regional communities.

“Regional communities are at the heart of the clean energy transition and are in the box seat to capitalise on local investment and employment opportunities from the transition to renewable energy,” Mr Burke said.

“As HumeLink progresses, it will continue to power local businesses, helping them expand their workforces, skills and machinery, while securing Australia’s clean energy future.

“Transgrid and our delivery partners are progressing with the construction of HumeLink which comprises 365km of new transmission lines that connect Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle, and new or upgraded substation infrastructure at four locations.

“We are grateful to be working with regional communities and businesses to deliver this essential project, which will provide access to cleaner and cheaper renewable energy for families and businesses locally and across NSW.”

Goulburn-based family business Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage has carried out bulk earthworks for HumeLink East sites including the Yass worker accommodation facility and Maragle substation, supplying concrete for the project from its Tumbarumba yard.

The business has been operating for more than 50 years and employs around 350 people.

“It’s good that HumeLink is using local input and not bringing Sydney companies to the bush to give locals the first crack at the job if we can do it,” Company Director Andy Divall said.

“We really appreciate the chance to work on the project. For our business, it’s great that it is local work – we don't have to travel out of the area for work, so we keep everyone at home each night. They get home to see their family, their kids and that's what we build our business on.”

Mr Divall is proud of his family business, with three of his children, brother, brother-in law, nieces and nephews working alongside him in the business.

“We’ve got lots of father and son combinations working for us and we’re proud of that. We’re big, but we are still a family business,” he said.

“With the project, obviously there's going to be lots of local quarry products and labour input. I think it's going to be an uplift to the region for the next couple of years.”

Indigenous business Ironbark Training, based at Wagga Wagga, has been engaged to train people to work safely and confidently on the HumeLink West alignment.

Training includes working at heights, tower rescue, operating cranes and plant, driving 4WD vehicles in remote areas, rigging and dogging, safety and high-risk work.

Ironbark Training played a similar role training personnel constructing Transgrid’s EnergyConnect project.

“Being part of HumeLink West is genuinely exciting for Ironbark Training,” CEO Dave Joyce said.

“Our trainers are proud to be out on site. Our staff are proud of the work they are doing, and our business is growing because of HumeLink and having this opportunity to contribute to such an important national infrastructure project.

“It’s rewarding to see local people gaining skills and confidence while helping deliver something that will benefit Australia for decades to come.”

Other local businesses helping to deliver HumeLink include: All-Flo Plumbing in Bookham, which has a plumbing contract at Adjungbilly worker accommodation; Wyangle Quarry in Tumut, supplier of construction materials; and Grantrax, provider of plant and equipment hire in Tumbarumba.

The project is being constructed in two sections by ACCIONA and GenusPlus Group Joint Venture (HumeLink East) and UGL and CPB Contractors Joint Venture (HumeLink West).

HumeLink is creating up to 1,600 construction jobs and delivering $6.3 billion in direct and indirect investment in regional economies. It is also delivering a wide range of social and economic benefits to regional communities including education and training opportunities, grants for not-for-profit organisations, funding for community facilities, and telecommunications infrastructure.

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