Myuma–TMR Alliance

The Department of Transport and Main Roads developed a framework for Indigenous development and job readiness which led to an alliance with Myuma Pty Ltd, a not-for-profit Indigenous training organisation. Myuma has worked with the department since 2000 on a number of road construction projects and alliances.

Myuma conducts a diverse range of business and training operations on behalf of the Indjalandji–Dhidhnu People, the Aboriginal traditional owners of the Camooweal region in north-west Queensland.

These operations include civil and general construction and the provision of plant and labour hire services to the mining and construction industries.

Myuma also delivers a biannual 13-week work readiness training course which provides trainees with certification in civil construction. The department supports this prevocational training with an infrastructure works program to provide on the job training.

The department has pioneered a successful model to advance the employability of Indigenous people while improving and maintaining roads through alliance contracts with Myuma.

The Myuma model is based on a guarantee of work to local Indigenous trading organisations, including the provision of services and as an alliance partner in construction projects.

Myuma has conditional Category R1 and B1 contractor pre-qualification under the state pre-qualification system for civil (road and bridge) construction projects.

The department assisted Myuma to build its organisation in order to achieve pre-qualification for civil construction works.

History of partnership

Working together on the Split Rock Inca Alliance, Myuma and the department were nominated for several awards. In 2007 the alliance won the Australian Training Initiative Award for its innovative approach to sustainable employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people. The alliance also won 2 Premier’s Reconciliation Awards for Business—in the partnerships category and the overall Premier’s award. It also won the Premier’s Innovation in Skilling Award in the Queensland Training Awards and a Civil Contractors Federation Earth Award.

In 2013, the Myuma Group and the department were awarded the Premier’s Reconciliation Award. The Myuma–TMR Alliance was recognised for their partnership model used to deliver significant new Indigenous reconciliation outcomes through road construction projects.