Supporting Aboriginal business growth through the Pakenham Roads Upgrade

Indigenous owned business Wamarra is continuing to build capability and create new opportunities through its work on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade.

Working alongside Big Build Roads construction partner Symal Group, Wamarra recently completed works on a new creek crossing at Racecourse Road in Pakenham, including the installation of large precast culverts, drainage works and pavement construction.

The new 5 cell culvert will improve water flow through the creek during heavy rainfall, helping reduce flood risk and improve safety for nearby homes, businesses and road users.

The works also reflect the important role social procurement plays in supporting Aboriginal businesses to grow capability, strengthen workforces and build long-term participation in Victoria’s infrastructure sector.

For Wamarra, the project created opportunities to expand into new areas of work, including the lifting and installation of large precast culvert units, while continuing to develop skills across construction delivery, coordination and site operations.

Leading Hand Phil Cooper said the experience had supported both his own development and the growth of the wider crew.

“Working on this project has benefitted not only me, but the crew and the company on a big scale,” Phil said.

“We’ve worked alongside concreters, steel fixers and crane crews, so being involved in that interface and developing our capability for future opportunities has been really valuable.”

Phil joined Wamarra as a labourer and had the opportunity to develop his skills through their Bulabul Leadership Program.

“Working for Wamarra has had a massive impact, not only for my upskilling, but for my life as well,” he said.

“I started in the company as a labourer and worked my way up to Leading Hand. There’s a lot of passion within this business.”

Partnerships with Aboriginal owned businesses like Wamarra are a key part of delivering social procurement outcomes across major infrastructure projects.

By creating opportunities across different areas of project delivery, these partnerships help support sustainable business growth, workforce development and long-term capability within Victoria’s Aboriginal business sector.

Wamarra’s work on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade demonstrates how social procurement outcomes can create lasting benefits for Aboriginal businesses and communities, while contributing to the delivery of major infrastructure projects across Victoria.