Opportunities for Illawarra businesses from the $100 million expansion of Bass Point Quarry were the focus at the September industry breakfast hosted by the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net).
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Hansons' project manager Scott Whittaker said the project had been issued with a 30-year approval by the NSW Department of Planning.
Hanson is one of Australia's largest suppliers of heavy building materials to the construction industry.
The Bass Point Quarry supplies high-quality basalt material to both the Sydney and Illawarra markets.
Bass Point has been operating for 80 years and previously traded as South Coast Basalt and Pioneer.
Under Hanson, the quarry operates 24/7 and employs 70 people who help produce around 1.5 million tonnes of construction aggregate.
"We produce aggregates, including crushed rock, sand, gravel, crusher dust, road base and premixed concrete which is all supported by our logistics fleet," Mr Whittaker said.
The $100 million expansion will see production increased up to four million tonnes per year.
Up to three million tonnes will be transported by road and the remainder by ship.
Hanson plans to deepen its extraction pits from sea level to as far as 40 metres below sea level.
It is also moving the processing plant, resulting in a lower visual impact as well as more efficiency.
Mr Whittaker said the 650 tonnes per hour processing plant was the largest component of the project which includes an automated truck load-out, precoat plant and pug mill.
He said a tender was sent out to a selected list of companies in August and the company was expecting the first submissions by late October.
"Our intent is to award the contract by mid-2015, start construction early 2016 and commission in late 2016," he said.
"The tender is targeting a turnkey solution but there may be opportunities for subcontract work for local mechanical, civil and electrical contractors. As we get closer to awarding the contract, Hanson would be happy to provide the successful contractor with a link to i3net."
Ancillary infrastructure includes a transport depot, weighbridge, workshop, office, laboratory and concrete plant.
Civil work includes excavation to open up the plant construction area, construction of screening bunds and road works such as the construction of a new 1.2-kilometre section and resurfacing of an existing two kilometres of road.
There will also be a new high voltage installation, demolition of the existing plant and infrastructure and the second stage upgrade of the ship loader from 1200tph to possible 3000tph.
Ongoing work for specialist consultants was also planned, Mr Whittaker said.
