Small businesses on the Sunshine Coast are being primed to get involved in two major transport infrastructure projects.
More than 150 local suppliers attended the Big Partners for Small Business forum, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, to hear first-hand from the state government how they can get ready to contribute to The Wave rail and bus network and the Beerburrum to Beerwah rail duplication, which are expected to be built by the 2032 Games.
The multibillion-dollar The Wave is set to include the construction of a rail line between Beerwah to Birtinya and a connecting bus route between Birtinya and Sunshine Coast Airport.
The Beerburrum to Beerwah rail duplication will include adding tracks to the North Coast rail line, as part of Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the initiatives would bolster local businesses.
“The delivery of these projects will present multiple opportunities for small and family businesses across the region and we want to ensure they are ready and able to take advantage of them,” he said.
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“This is all about ensuring local small and family businesses and suppliers can benefit as much as possible from all the opportunities on offer through these projects.”
Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin said Big Partners for Small Business events brought lasting benefits to local businesses and the region.
“There are more than 37,000 small and family businesses across the Sunshine Coast Region, many of which are in industries that can contribute to the region’s transformational infrastructure projects,” he said.
“We’re committed to increasing small and family business procurement opportunities outlined earlier this month as part of our Small and Family Business First Action Statement.
“The opportunity to contribute to these projects is not just about the delivery of new infrastructure – it’s about improving our local communities and providing small businesses the opportunity to grow and thrive.
“By empowering local suppliers to participate, we’re fostering economic resilience, supporting jobs, and creating lasting benefits for the Sunshine Coast region.”
