Road, Rail & Port Construction Activity Primed to Climb

Job opportunities are on the rise for engineers who plan, design and build rail, road & port infrastructure, according to a recent Quarterly Report from a globally renowned, specialist recruitment group.

The dollar value of work completed on port and rail resource sector related projects spiked in 2012/2013 before plummeting by over a quarter as industry activity wound down, but now it’s due to grow once more.

Dollar value of work is projected to reach $27.8 billion, over 50% higher in total within this financial year, in comparison to levels 10 years previously.

Where Is The Work?

The location and nature of the work opportunities for these engineers is changing.

Queensland

Road infrastructure activity should ramp up above a 5th this year to hit $5.343 billion in 2017/2018. Non-road transport will grow to around 70% over the coming 2 years.

Gateway Upgrade North Project at Nudgee, Ipswich Motorway upgrades (Darra to Rocklea), Bruce Highway upgrades (Bantassel to Cluden), Sunshine Coast airport expansion, and Brisbane airport parallel runway.

NSW

Road infrastructure projects are accelerating, expected to rise by 7% more this year, climbing to around $8 billion by 2019/2020.

WestConnex, Paciific Highway from Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, Badgerys Creek Airport & F3 to M2 Orbital Corridor (NorthConnex)

Victoria

The focus is on crossing removals with dollar value of rail, harbour & bridge work expected to jump from the $1.178 billion in 2014/2015 up to $1.546 billion sometime in 2016/2017.

ACT

Road building activity is going strong at 3 times the levels experienced 10 years previously and will keep accelerating from $244 million in 2014/2015 up to $303 million sometime in 2017/2018.

Barton Highway, Gundaroo Drive duplication projects, and City to the Lake Project.

Are You In Demand?

All this road, rail and port construction is driving job opportunities for:

• Transport engineers
• Inroads designers
• Highway & civil design engineers

Will the Change of Australian Leadership Have Any Effect On The Sector?

Australia’s change of Prime Minister is expected to have a positive effect on the sector with the scope of projects eligible to receive Commonwealth funding likely be widened. 

The Federal Opposition is also getting behind nation building with their announcement of a $10 billion infrastructure plan, alongside the intention of allowing Infrastructure Australia to operate as a bank to attract private sector investment.

So it seems nation building will remain a key focus irrespective of which political party is at the country’s helm after the next election. 

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