The Split Rock Inca Alliance was the final stage in the upgrade of the Barkly Highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal in far north-west Queensland. Completed in 2006 this project followed the Johnson Creek Alliance (2004) and the Buckley River Alliance (2005), also delivered by Seymour Whyte. Together the projects consisted of 70km of new highway, 12 new bridges, 400,000m3 of earthworks and numerous drainage structures.

The projects were delivered for Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads under an alliance contracting model. This model was chosen to best manage the numerous complexities and logistical challenges of the remote location, time constraints and cultural sensitivities. The relationship style contract provided an environment in which the program objectives of significant local Indigenous participation, Indigenous training and Indigenous enterprise could be developed.

The alliance promoted increased cooperation and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people while achieving crucial project outcomes for construction deadlines and productivity. Seymour Whyte and the alliance partners (including the Indjilandji-Dhidhanu people) achieved considerable industry recognition and awards for outstanding quality, training and contributions to Indigenous enterprise development. Local Indigenous owned and managed businesses were established and given the training and support to continue employing and developing local people beyond the life of the project.

The program of alliance contracts delivered value for money and demonstrated the significant benefits of a program delivery approach whereby the learnings of one project are invested into subsequent projects. Established relationships, continuity of staff and feeding constructability knowledge back into project design all contributed to significantly more efficient project outcomes.

Improvements in performance and outcomes were further enhanced by collaboration and innovation. Local Indigenous knowledge contributed to innovative solutions in the management of scarce water and gravel resources. Introduction of precast concrete elements removed issues associated with local supplies and improved timelines. The use of mining machinery in addition to traditional road making machinery provided considerable flexibility, maximised productivities and eliminated delays. The latest satellite technologies and machine controlled global positioning systems enabled fast and accurate construction and optimised valuable labour resources.

Winner of 7 awards including:

• Winner 2007 Queensland CCF Earth Awards Category 4 (project value between $20 million and $75 million)
• Winner 2007 Queensland Engineers Australia Excellence Award Project Management
• Winner 2007 Queensland Government Reconciliation Award for Business, “Partnership Award” & “Premier’s Award”
• Winner 2007 Australian Government “Australian Training Initiative Award”

The Split Rock Inca Alliance was the final stage in the upgrade of the Barkly Highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal in far north-west Queensland. Completed in 2006 this project followed the Johnson Creek Alliance (2004) and the Buckley River Alliance (2005), also delivered by Seymour Whyte. Together the projects consisted of 70km of new highway, 12 new bridges, 400,000m3 of earthworks and numerous drainage structures.

The projects were delivered for Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads under an alliance contracting model. This model was chosen to best manage the numerous complexities and logistical challenges of the remote location, time constraints and cultural sensitivities. The relationship style contract provided an environment in which the program objectives of significant local Indigenous participation, Indigenous training and Indigenous enterprise could be developed.

The alliance promoted increased cooperation and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people while achieving crucial project outcomes for construction deadlines and productivity. Seymour Whyte and the alliance partners (including the Indjilandji-Dhidhanu people) achieved considerable industry recognition and awards for outstanding quality, training and contributions to Indigenous enterprise development. Local Indigenous owned and managed businesses were established and given the training and support to continue employing and developing local people beyond the life of the project.

The program of alliance contracts delivered value for money and demonstrated the significant benefits of a program delivery approach whereby the learnings of one project are invested into subsequent projects. Established relationships, continuity of staff and feeding constructability knowledge back into project design all contributed to significantly more efficient project outcomes.

Improvements in performance and outcomes were further enhanced by collaboration and innovation. Local Indigenous knowledge contributed to innovative solutions in the management of scarce water and gravel resources. Introduction of precast concrete elements removed issues associated with local supplies and improved timelines. The use of mining machinery in addition to traditional road making machinery provided considerable flexibility, maximised productivities and eliminated delays. The latest satellite technologies and machine controlled global positioning systems enabled fast and accurate construction and optimised valuable labour resources.

Winner of 7 awards including:

• Winner 2007 Queensland CCF Earth Awards Category 4 (project value between $20 million and $75 million)
• Winner 2007 Queensland Engineers Australia Excellence Award Project Management
• Winner 2007 Queensland Government Reconciliation Award for Business, “Partnership Award” & “Premier’s Award”
• Winner 2007 Australian Government “Australian Training Initiative Award”