The ACT government has assembled a range of businesses to provide specialist advice for the rollout of the proposed 12-kilometre light rail line to Gungahlin.
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Small and medium businesses and multinational companies are included in the list of 48 firms who could be called on to provide expert advice in all aspects of planning and construction of the $614 million project, which the government says will move 13,000 commuter passengers each day by 2021.
Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell said local businesses represented 40 per cent of the successful tender applications.
“We put out requests for public tender some months ago," Mr Corbell said.
"After careful consideration, and working to some very specific criteria, we have selected 48 companies to make up the specialist adviser panel and 19 of these companies are locally based,” he said.
Firms not included in the list could also be called on to provide work in the lead-up to construction, due to start in mid-2016. The line is expected to be operational by 2019 or 2020.
“Capital Metro requires expertise in everything from project management and support, surveying, urban design and planning, through to light rail planning and environmental analysis," Mr Corbell said.
“As [the agency] works through its design and business case stages, it’s important for it to have a pool of highly skilled professionals on hand that can be engaged as required to provide valuable input to the project.
Among businesses with a presence in Canberra are engineering, environment and planning consultants GHD, Cox Architecture, SLR Consulting Australia, Harris Hobbs Landscapes and planning, design and project management firm Pegrum Judd.
Mr Corbell last week oversaw the start of underground exploration of pipes and wires which may need to be relocated as part of the development. That work is being completed by Kambah company Leach Steger, in co-operation with Brown Consulting.
“The engagement of local companies exemplifies the range and depth of qualified knowledge we have in the nation’s capital,” Mr Corbell said.
Other Canberra firms engaged as part of the specialist panel include Northrop Consulting Engineers and Lamond Advisory Services.
