The Bruce Highway Upgrade – Cooroy to Curra, Section D (Gympie Bypass) project, delivered by CPB Contractors for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, recently welcomed its first motorists, leaving a legacy for the region’s local businesses and workforce.
Delivery of the project included the construction of 18 kilometres of new highway, realignments to local roads, 19 bridges, and a new interchange at Curra, while managing the impacts of major flooding during earthworks in 2022 – including one of the largest weather events in the region since 1893.
With construction on the project now complete, CPB Contractors Project Manager Tarquin Devereaux reflects on the positive impact the project has had on local communities and businesses.
“In addition to safety and delivery certainty, CPB Contractors always looks to maximise the social and economic benefits of each project we deliver,” says Tarquin.
“Our team feels immense pride for the legacy this project will leave for local communities and businesses,” he adds.
The project's social impact achievements included:
- Over 80% local participation, with 2362 workers inducted and 393 subcontractors and suppliers engaged
- $239 million spent locally, directly benefiting Gympie and its broader communities
- 5.7% First Nations employee representation, surpassing CPB Contractors’ Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan target of 4%
- Engagement of seven Indigenous businesses, with more than $8.7 million spent
- Engagement of 50 trainees and apprentices
- Delivery of 176,000 training hours, including almost 100,000 for new entrants to the construction industry
CPB Contractors General Manager QLD & PNG Vince Sanfilippo said the project was a great example of the power of partnerships and genuine collaboration with clients, suppliers and local community groups.
“With a number of other regional projects in the works, including New Bundaberg Hospital and the Paradise Dam Improvement Project in Central Queensland, as well as Defence projects in North Queensland and CopperString 2032 in North-West Queensland, our learnings and achievements from the Gympie Bypass will benefit these and future projects, not only in Queensland but regionally across the country,” Vince said.
“Regional communities like Gympie are the backbone of our state, and projects like this are vital for supporting the economy, enhancing connectivity, improving access to essential services, and providing sustainable job opportunities, particularly for our future workforce.
“With a major pipeline of work for regional Queensland across renewables, building, roads, rail, water, and resources, we will continue to ensure local communities receive the social and economic benefits that major construction begins.
“We are committed to not just delivering infrastructure that better connects our communities but contributing meaningfully to the ongoing growth of these cities and towns.”