Gold Coast light rail stage 3: Surprise roles for ex-Wallabies stars Saia and Anthony Fainga’a

A much-loved pair of former Wallabies stars will play a key role in make the $1.2bn Broadbeach to Burleigh light rail extension a reality.

FORMER Wallabies stars Saia and Anthony Fainga’a have been awarded a historic contract to help build the $1.2bn third stage of the light rail.

The brothers, who played for the Brumbies and Queensland Reds, have secured a three-year deal to provide traffic management through their company Moonyah Workforce.

It is one of the largest contracts ever given to an Indigenous-owned and operated business.

Anthony Fainga’a, who co-founded the company two years ago after retiring from rugby, said it was important to support First Nations workers.

Former Wallabies twins Anthony and Saia Fainga.

“This contract will make a major difference to the lives of local workers and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in a short period,” he said.

“I’m excited about what this will mean for the incredible people we work with and those we hope to provide with new prospects.

“This deal will give more of our worker’s meaningful opportunities to improve their lives and support their families.”

Construction has begun on the 6.7km light rail extension, which will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 is now under construction.

It will be followed by the 14km Stage 4 which will run from Burleigh Heads to the border.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the light rail extension was among $5.2bn of road and transport projects that would be delivered in the next four years.

“All of our infrastructure projects support good jobs and light rail is no different,” he said.

“Boosting the local economy, while building transport connections to support this major growth region, means prioritising local jobs that attract and develop talent.”

More than 700 jobs will be created through the three-year construction of Stage 3.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Saia Fainga’a said the contract would give local Indigenous people greater opportunities to improve their city.

“It’s so important to us to give back to the community and give people chances just like we got when we were able to play rugby at school and later as Wallabies,” he said.

“To be able to use our profiles and our voices to find work for people who want it is so worthwhile because it doesn’t matter where you’ve come from or what your situation is, everyone deserves a chance at a better future.

“People said we’d never play for the Wallabies, but we always had the support of our families, so now we want to be that support for people looking for work.”

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