The owner of a major crane company based in Orange has called for more support for regional operators when tendering for work at Newcrest's Cadia Valley mine.
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Blayney Cranes owner Nelson Scott said the arrival of an interstate-based crane company in Orange this year was putting pressure on his company and another Central West company, Central Crane Services, to compete for work in the region.
Newcrest has confirmed the WA-based firm Freo Group was the successful tenderer for work at Cadia for the latest shutdown however said the mining exploration company would always choose local when all other factors are equal.
Mr Scott said the two Central West crane companies had worked at Cadia and had the fleet of cranes and staff to handle work into the future.
"They should look after the locals. Something's got to be done," he said. "I have never had an incident or an accident out there ever."
Mr Scott said he was now looking for work for his business outside of Orange. He said Blayney Cranes was currently working on projects in Parkes including the inland rail link between Parkes and Narromine.
Mr Scott said his firm had been in business for 25 years and had about 25 workers, "all locals".
Mr Scott said he was unsure how a preferential system for Orange-based operators would work but he believed it was vital for local employment and keeping local businesses operating.
They should look after the locals.
- Nelson Scott, Blayney Cranes owner
He said he was concerned firms from outside Orange would use workers and equipment from outside the region.
Mr Scott said his firm had not been asked to tender for the Cadia shutdown work.
However, a spokeswoman for Newcrest said the firm was one of 17 crane operators across Australia invited by email to tender for the work.
"They were invited to tender on the process," she said.
"They didn't respond back to us, 17 [companies] were asked to tender and seven responded.
"The contract for mobile crane hire services at Cadia underwent a robust tender process, which considered the provision of local labour as a key aspect, in addition to a number of other factors including safety, quality and cost.
"We will always choose local when all the other factors are equal," she said.
Freo Group NSW manager Grant Newham said Orange was its 24th depot in Australia and was a "long-term move" that would create jobs for Orange.
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