Craigieburn Road Upgrade delivers outstanding social outcomes

A planned and strategic approach to Aboriginal engagement on the Craigieburn Road Upgrade helped leave a legacy of inclusion and community empowerment.

Delivered by Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) construction partner Fulton Hogan, the project completed physical works in late 2024. By embedding key initiatives into daily activities from day one, the project created lasting Aboriginal employment and social procurement outcomes.

One such initiative was the Kicking Goals coaching and mentorship program, developed in partnership with Goal Indigenous Services. This program supported Aboriginal workers by creating a safe and welcoming community through monthly Yarning Circles, where participants could access pre-employment job readiness support, share their stories and celebrate their culture.

Other project outcomes included supporting the completion of six Victorian traineeships and apprenticeships throughout the project in Civil Construction, Business, and Workplace Health and Safety.

The project also made strides by engaging Aboriginal businesses and social enterprises. By breaking larger project scopes into smaller packages, more than 40 social benefit suppliers were able to participate in the tender process, with more than 20 social benefit suppliers engaged in the supply chain during delivery. This approach allowed small and emerging businesses such as Bunji Hire, and Djurwa to gain valuable experience in a major project environment.

Fulton Hogan’s commitment to social procurement was guided by several strategic practices, including:

• Starting early and reverse-engineering commitments to track progress and adjust strategies.
• Engaging Aboriginal businesses from the planning stages to ensure meaningful participation.
• Aligning teams across departments to maintain collaboration and accountability.
• Celebrating cultural diversity by encouraging employees to share their cultures and experiences.

Fulton Hogan’s leadership in Aboriginal workforce participation and social procurement on the Craigieburn Road Upgrade offers a strategic blueprint for other MRPV projects.