Nexus put on notice over Range Crossing

THE $1.6 BILLION Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is a complex, colossal infrastructure project.

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing under construction by Nexus, Friday, February 2, 2018. Picture: Kevin Farmer

OUR SAY: THE $1.6 BILLION Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is a complex, colossal infrastructure project.

Around 1800 people are involved directly and indirectly, in its construction, operation and maintenance.

The Chronicle has been reporting for months on Workplace Health and Safety issues raised at the site.

It began last May when Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts formally questioned the safety standards in place. Since then, our reporters have been contacted by current and former employees - most of whom were reluctant to be named for fear that it would jeopardise their ongoing employment prospects - and we've written pieces on the number of statutory notices issued to the project's principal contractor, Nexus. Likewise, we've reported on the times emergency services have been called to site.

In every instance we approached Nexus and the Department of Transport and Main Roads for comment.

Yesterday morning the message coming out of William Street changed drastically.

Matthew Newton's report includes the strongly-worded statement from Minister Grace Grace's department.

It detailed Ms Grace's concerns about safety, insisted that work practices change and concluded with: "Minister Grace wants to ensure that Nexus gets the message loud and clear."

Crystal, Ms Grace.

With this, Nexus has been officially, and very publicly, put on notice.

Originally published as Nexus put on notice over Range Crossing