Bennett and Bennett eyes future growth on the back of Inland Rail

Bennett and Bennett Managing Director Mark Billsborough, who was raised in Goondiwindi, said the company’s four-year involvement with Inland Rail has helped the business stabilise its workforce, create an ongoing partnership with a local survey business and identify potential growth opportunities. 

“We are very fortunate to have worked on some iconic projects in the past and present, but nothing will compare to working on this national project which is connecting Melbourne to Brisbane via regional NSW and Queensland,” Mr Billsborough said.

“Inland Rail has supported our workforce during uncertain times, created greater opportunities for us to showcase our strength in cadastral surveying* with our appointment to the Inland Rail Cadastral Survey Panel for NSW and Queensland and worked in partnership with local survey company, SMK QLD.

“We also expect to grow our survey business following our appointment to the cadastral panel. This means we’ll be investing in additional equipment and hiring more surveyors to help service Inland Rail.”

Goondiwindi-based SMK QLD Director Jeff Jones said working with Bennett and Bennett on Inland Rail has helped bolster their business and provided opportunities for other locals to participate. 

“Partnering with Bennett and Bennett has given us access to a top tier job we wouldn’t normally venture into due to the resourcing required for a contract this size,” Mr Jones said. 

“It has helped us keep one of our Goondiwindi-based staff members in work and we’re now looking for a local trainee to develop their survey skills and keep talent in the town.” 

Working on Inland Rail has also seen SMK QLD source opportunities for other local businesses to get involved.

“We’ve been in business in Goondiwindi for more than 40 years and we have a strong focus on locals supporting locals,” Mr Jones continued. 

“Last year, we engaged the Goondiwindi Men’s Shed to make pegs and stakes for our work on Inland Rail and they, in turn, sourced timber from nearby Yelarbon, so the ripple effect can be significant.”

From the local suppliers who partner with larger contractors to deliver the project to the local businesses who support our project teams while they’re working along the alignment, Inland Rail is delivering real opportunities to regional communities.  

“Our survey teams have needed to stay in hotels along the alignment to work on Inland Rail, as well as eat at local cafes and buy fuel from service stations,” Mr Billsborough continued. 

“We are very happy to see regional communities benefit from our work on Inland Rail and could not be happier with the service we’ve received from the local businesses we’ve dealt with.”

With Inland Rail committed to supporting local suppliers wherever possible, Mr Billsborough urges businesses along the alignment to participate in the supply chain.

“The ARTC team are very supportive of small businesses and understand that not every business has been exposed to the systems and requirements of a large infrastructure project, like Inland Rail,” he said.  

“Don’t be put off by the process of tendering. It’s not as bad as you think and the ARTC team absolutely support local content. 

“It’s a great opportunity for small businesses to be part of this nation-building project.”

Visit inlandrail.artc.com.au/opportunities/ to learn about Inland Rail’s wide range of exciting opportunities.   

*Cadastral surveying accurately defines property boundaries. Only registered cadastral surveyors can perform a boundary survey and place a survey mark that defines a property boundary.