Case studies: examples of minimising disruption for businesses

Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3), Edmonton to Gordonvale (E2G) Project

The $575 million Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3) E2G project was the Department of Transport and Main Roads' (TMR) biggest and most complex road and rail infrastructure undertaking for Far North Queensland.

Completed in December 2023, the project delivered long-term benefits for road access, traffic flow and road safety, and significantly improved travel to and from Cairns.

Minimising disruption to businesses

Project teams worked together with the local community, including farmers, local businesses and residents, to ensure they were supported during project construction.

Stakeholder engagement with businesses and assessing their requirements was also integral to the project and its success.

Although physical disruption to businesses was avoided, as the project was on a new alignment, the works traversed many cane farms and occurred over 3 cane harvest seasons. Subsequently, the project team worked closely with local sugar cane farmers and miller, MSF Sugar, to minimise impacts to farm and mill operations.

Procurement from local businesses

The project had regional communities and businesses at the core of its delivery, with more than 300 local suppliers and contractors engaged – it also represented a significant opportunity to upskill local businesses.

Around 80% of the total contract value was spent within the local region, supporting local businesses, social enterprises, and Indigenous businesses.

The project team:

• collaborated with North Queensland Solar to develop a series of solar-hybrid generators for E2G, a first for TMR. The solar-hybrid systems replaced traditional generators to power remote compounds and utilities with a reliable 24-hour power source saving an estimated 200 tonnes of CO₂
• negotiated with the local supplier, Pioneer North Queensland, to increase capability and develop a supply of stone mastic asphalt for future use by TMR and Cairns Regional Council
• negotiated with Holcim to re-open its Gordonvale batch plant to secure concrete supply
• upskilled smaller operators not previously exposed to a construction project of this scale or complexity, creating more capability within the region for the future.

This award-winning project was funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.

Stakeholder engagement for the new performing arts venue (NPAV) build

The Queensland Government is investing in the delivery of a new theatre at the Queensland Cultural Centre, creating a fifth theatre for the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

The location is in the densely populated South Bank precinct, with a wide array of businesses including cafes, restaurants, hotels, the ABC Headquarters and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Before construction, the Queensland Government team undertook stakeholder identification and analysis. It was immediately clear that neighbouring businesses and their customers could be impacted by noise levels and altered vehicle and pedestrian access. As a result, regular communication and collaboration was prioritised for project planning and delivery.

Stakeholder impacts were a standing item on planning meeting agendas. Documents and tools that guided and supported stakeholder engagement included a:

• Stakeholder Management Plan to establish communication goals and agreed roles and responsibilities
• key messages document, for consistent communication, regularly updated throughout the project
• project website as a single source of truth for project facts, construction updates and contact details
• dedicated 1800 phone number and project email address allowing businesses to choose their preferred method of contact and build trust through two-way communication.

During construction, a Managing Contractor (MC) is undertaking works on behalf of the Queensland Government.

The NPAV's Stakeholder Management Plan clearly defines the communication roles and responsibilities between the MC and the Queensland Government. The MC's stakeholder engagement manager is responsible for engaging with local businesses and ensuring they are considered in the planning of works, issuing construction updates to keep them informed, and developing on-site relationships. Any emerging issues are shared via regular meetings.

MC-issued construction updates provide advance notice of any works that might cause increased noise, light, dust or vibration, or occur outside normal work hours. This advice clearly communicates the timeframes, dates and likely impacts of works, and provides contact details to ensure stakeholders can raise any queries or concerns before or during works.

A South Bank Construction Projects Coordination Group was formed to bring together project teams from adjacent, concurrent construction projects including Brisbane Metro and the Neville Bonner Bridge.

The Group meets fortnightly during key stages to share information on upcoming works. This ensures enquiries are quickly directed to the responsible authority for response, and traffic and pedestrian impacts are considered collectively to reduce the overall disruption.

QPAC continues to operate its existing venues during construction. Given its close connection with the project site – sharing walls, driveways, and footpaths – construction impacts are mitigated by:

• scheduling noisy works away from performances, achieved through clearly documenting this requirement within the MC's tender documentation
• discussing upcoming activities led by QPAC or the construction project and any potential for conflicts, and adjusting planned works where possible
• communicating safe alternative drop-off arrangements with consideration for visitors with restricted mobility and those needing close vehicular access to the precinct.

Continual re-evaluation and open communication ensures the needs of all stakeholders are addressed. Both the Queensland Government and the MC regularly liaise with stakeholders to ensure that any concerns, such as signage, lighting levels, security and access for patron safety are worked through to ensure constructive resolution for all parties.