The head of a Numurkah excavation business, Mick Hogan, said the project was bringing significant economic benefts to the wider community.
As director of Numurkah-based company Mick Hogan Excavations, Mr Hogan remembers his involvement in early Future Flow meetings (later NVIRP and now the Connections Project) and installation of the first meter at Katandra.
“Our business (Hogans) has grown with Connections. The project moved along and we went with it,” Mr Hogan said.
This has seen Hogans evolve from a 10-man team working with local farmers in irrigation infrastructure to a business with about 50 full-time staff and 20 sub-contracted staff.
While still involved with local farming projects and the installation of pipe and riser systems, Hogans has expanded into channel lining, pipeline works, meter installations and a range of Connections Project jobs that sustained the business year-round.
Mr Hogan said the large-scale project has “definitely had an effect”.
“There is no way the business would be this size if the program hadn’t been in the area. There are also many local businesses that have benefited – whether directly or indirectly.”
He said flow-on effects include everything from buying parts for machinery and maintenance to suppliers of rock, uniforms, safety equipment, valves, bolts, lasers and surveys.
Local fuel outlets have been receiving more takings and takeaway stores are catering for increased demand.
“It’s also things like sourcing fencing equipment from rural suppliers and organising accommodation for some of our sub-contractors who may travel from further afield.” Mr Hogan has recently invested $250,000 in a new 23-tonne excavator to complement his fleet of 10 excavators and help complete works required this year.
“We want to ensure this project leaves a legacy. I’ve got farms myself and many of the staff involved are local. We want to see this work for our region.” he said.
