Project has critical role to play in our future

EVERY day on my way to work, I pass the ever-growing demolition site at the old Brisbane Transit Centre.

The usually bustling streets surrounding the remnants of this Brisbane eyesore are deserted and my hometown looks nothing like I can remember, due to COVID-19. But 26 metres below the bare bitumen there are hundreds of workers transforming our city.

These men and women are turning up every day during this pandemic, moulding and shaping the city of our future.

While building infrastructure we need for the future has always been important, largescale projects like Cross River Rail are now critical to our economic recovery.

Queensland’s largest infrastructure project is generating more than 7500 jobs, certainty for working families and thousands of contracts for local subbies at the very time we need it most.

Throughout COVID-19, Cross River Rail has injected $85 million a month into our economy, keeping 1800 workers employed across eight worksites. And family-run businesses supplying us with concrete, steel and equipment have also benefited.

Already, more than 200 companies have won Cross River Rail contracts. More than 90 per cent are based in Queensland. And there will be more construction contracts up for grabs.

This campaign will share with Queenslanders the opportunities at their fingertips as a result of Queensland’s largest infrastructure project.

COVID-19 is the biggest challenge we’ve ever had to face. But together, I know we can rebuild.