THE Ellenbrook line team have been recognised for their outstanding work on Aboriginal inclusion and participation.

Project contractor Laing O’Rourke was recently awarded the Indigenous Inclusion Award at the inaugural BHP and Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA Diversity and Inclusion Awards.

The accolade celebrates outstanding achievements in fostering Aboriginal representation, inclusion and diversity, which the team have demonstrated by providing a culturally safe workplace for nearly 300 Aboriginal employees.

The rail project has also supported 12 Aboriginal trainees and a number of Aboriginal owned and operated businesses, with more than $53 million spent to date across the project on services provided by 52 local Aboriginal businesses.

There has also been culturally appropriate input into landscape design for five stations, as well as public art created by six Noongar artists, along with heritage monitoring to protect Aboriginal culturally sensitive sites and fostering partnerships with local Elder groups.