Leaving a Lasting Legacy in Kurri Kurri

For Spiecapag, building infrastructure isn’t just about pipelines – it’s about people and communities. During the delivery of the Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline Project near Newcastle (NSW), we set out to demonstrate how major projects can create meaningful and lasting benefits for local communities.

From the outset, many decisions were made to maximise the local economic impact, favouring local solutions and suppliers wherever possible. Mobilised in mid-2023, the project directly injected over $46 million into the local economy through commercial contracts with local contractors, as well as local procurement for real estate & furnishing, medical services, training fees, hospitality and transportation.

We also prioritised local employment and skills development. While 49 local residents were hired, we partnered with 3 local Licensed Training Organisations (LTOs) to deliver training and upskilling for more than 200 personnel, creating long-term capability beyond the life of the project.

Our commitment didn’t stop there; our team went above and beyond with:

– 100+ meals prepared for vulnerable individuals in partnership with OzHarvest;

– 46 households’ worth of furniture and goods (valued at $280,000) donated to 9 local charities supporting domestic violence survivors and Aboriginal communities.

These initiatives weren’t one-off gestures, they were fully embedded into project operations and supported by partnerships with local organisations – a model for community engagement that Spiecapag is rolling out across all its projects through a formal Community Engagement and Legacy Plan.

As Managing Director John Walsh said: “Our work in Kurri Kurri shows that pipeline construction can – and should – leave a positive legacy. We’re proud of what our team achieved and grateful to the community for welcoming us.“