TRENCHL E SS TECH NOLOGY
TRENCHLESS CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS CREATES POSITIVE CULTURAL CHANGE
The Wara Paring (Come Walk the Path Together) Indigenous Civil Construction Project is a first-of-its-kind, 100 per cent Indigenous-owned contract services and training initiative working in the Melbourne water industry.
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ts aim is to build on the successful partnerships that have led to the creation of a small non-destructive digging company and continue to expand to create safe and sustainable employment opportunities for young Indigenous Australian people. At its heart – Wara Paring hopes to inspire other organisations to create positive and lasting cultural change.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN Four years ago, Melbourne Water (MWC) embarked on a journey to create a new major capital works delivery model. Its objective as part of the tendering process was to stimulate the marketplace to consider forming consortia that could provide a full, turnkey service (Design, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical) in the delivery of small-scale capital projects. The other prerequisites for success in the tendering process were aligned values and a passion for driving improved safety and social principles. Aqua Metro Services (AMS) was successful in the tendering process and appointed as Melbourne Water’s delivery partner for the Small Scale Capital Program.
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Melbourne Water’s General Manager Major Program Delivery, Eamonn Kelly, explained, “What impressed us in AMS’ bid was their demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for making a difference in relation to social value – and their honest approach in recognising that while they did not have a solution there and then – they were absolutely committed to working it out collaboratively with Melbourne Water.” Immediately after, both organisations brought together their leadership teams and diversity and strategic procurement managers to develop a pioneering Diversity and Inclusion Management Plan. A key focus of this was to create meaningful and sustainable social value and solidify the strategic relationship.
A COMMITMENT TO CREATING SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT As a first step, Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training was provided to both Melbourne Water and AMS senior management by Bundyi Giilang Indigenous Education. This was facilitated by Leon Egan, and introduced facts, learnings and debate around ‘why Indigenous Australia is still where it is today’. WWW.UTILITYMAGAZINE.COM.AU
