Inland Rail driving business for local auto group
New opportunities for family owned business in Goondiwindi and Moree
Right now, the construction of Inland Rail is helping deliver new opportunities for our regions and sending millions of dollars through the doors of local businesses. It’s generating new contracts for a variety of sectors and giving a boost to businesses big and small.
The project is not only supporting new jobs and skills for workers in regional areas but new opportunities for regional businesses as well. Like Tait Auto Group, based in Goondiwindi and Moree.
Tait Auto Group isn’t just a business, it’s a family.
Run by David Tait and his daughter Kendall, the company employs around 100 locals across their Goondiwindi and Moree operations.
“A big part of our business is looking after locals. Family is very important to us. And not just ours, but the families who work for us,” said Kendall.
Tait Auto Group recently won a vehicle servicing contract for Trans4m Rail, the company constructing Phase 1 of the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail. The contract sees the Tait’s Toyota dealership in Moree fulfilling a maintenance role for the vehicles, which includes parts and servicing, warranty work and any repairs required during the project.
Tendering for the contract began about 18 months ago with information sessions held by Inland Rail in the local area. The process to meet the tender requirements has helped the Taits formalise many internal aspects of their business.
“The tendering process gave us the tools to implement new processes and identify opportunities that will help us grow,” said Kendall.
David Tait is passionate about the communities that their business operates within. For him, Inland Rail will start to see towns like Goondiwindi, Moree, North Star and others prosper as a result of the new infrastructure being built.
“In the next five years Inland Rail is going to be very good for the towns that it’s travelling through, helping all kinds of small businesses from fuel stations to hotels and motels, other mechanics, you name it - everything.”
In an area that has seen drought for the last five years, the Taits believe the business Inland Rail will drive into their region will complement the momentum that the rains have recently brought. Even now they can see the difference in the community.
“Coming out of drought and into the rain, people start to see hope again. Then you have contracts for Inland Rail and Trans4m come and towns like ours really start to thrive.”
Kendall Tait
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