Brierty NYFL Joint Venture Contract Awarded for Wickham Town Development Project

Civil and mining contractor Brierty Limited (ASX: BYL) and the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundational Ltd (NYFL) are pleased to announce that they have been awarded a Rio Tinto contract worth over $55 million for the construction of residential housing lots in the Pilbara town of Wickham in Western Australia.

The construction of 221 housing lots in the recently approved South Wickham subdivision will provide the additional accommodation needed to support the expansion of Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert port and rail facilities.

The contract awarded today is for Stage 1 of the project and work undertaken by the Brierty NYFL Joint Venture will include bulk earthworks, services installation, road-works and landscaping. Construction is scheduled to occur over 9 months commencing next month.

The Brierty NYFL joint venture was specifically established to pursue urban infrastructure works, which includes subdivisions, on land in the Pilbara where the Ngurluma and Yindjibarndi people are the traditional owners.

Brierty Managing Director Peter McBain said that the award is a reflection of the company’s expertise in delivering urban infrastructure projects and the strong connections that Brierty has made with the local community.

“We are very proud of our achievements in providing employment and business opportunities for the local Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people and the recognition of this by Rio Tinto,” Mr McBain said.

NYFL CEO Evan Maloney spoke of the increased opportunities for local Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people, not only in the local work force but also potentially as owner-operators of equipment used in these urban infrastructure works.

"Slowly but surely our people are grasping these opportunities and not just in an operational sense. We have others keen to get involved in administration and management. These JVs help us drive these opportunities.”