More than 60 local Kempsey workers will graduate today in construction competencies completed through programs run by the fully Federally funded Pacific Highway Kempsey Bypass project.
The graduation ceremony will award upgrade workers who completed:

• Certificate II Road Construction and Maintenance;


• Certificate III Plant Operations;


• Certificate III Road Construction and Maintenance – Paving and Earthwork; or


• Certificate of Attainments in Paving Skill Sets.

Duty Senator for Cowper Matt Thistlethwaite said the graduate cohort included 11 Aboriginal trainees and 23 workers who will be the first in Australia to be nationally recognised for competencies related to paving.
“With 360 direct jobs and 1,100 indirect jobs supported by construction of the bypass, local employment is one major benefit of the bypass for the Kempsey community,” he said.
“Recent work at the bypass includes the final support beam for the bridge superstructure over the Macleay River and floodplain being delivered and installed, which will be 3.2 kilometres long when completed, making it the longest bridge in Australia,” Senator Thistlethwaite said.
NSW Deputy Premier and Member for Oxley Andrew Stoner said the 14.5 kilometre bypass is on track to be completed by Easter next year, weather permitting.
“Work being carried out from South Kempsey to Pola Creek includes continuing road surface work, building on the northbound ramp near Kempsey Indoor Sports Centre and bulk earthwork and road surfacing preparations at the interchange roundabout to the west of the existing Pacific Highway.
“At Frederickton work is continuing at the levee and boat ramp, on the embankment across the old Pacific Highway.  The removal of excess dirt and material from the old Pacific Highway worksite has also started,” said Mr Stoner.
The $618 million Kempsey Bypass is fully funded by the Federal Government and project managed by the NSW Government.