By Jane Harris
Andy Wilcox says he enjoys small town life. He has recently opened Barraba Landscape and Concrete Supplies and is committed to supporting Barraba, both through employing locals and in providing the material and equipment locals need for their projects.
Based in Newcastle, Andy has been in the concrete game for a while and owns 30 concrete trucks, Australia wide. The Barraba business is a logical extension of his operation, with the advantage of being sited right in the middle of the northern inland. “We supply premix concrete to anywhere from Tamworth to Warialda, Guyra and Gunnedah,” says Andy.
The business has already employed locals Linda Cafe and Ethan Smith. Linda handles some of the management and Ethan is a driver and yard hand. Andy travels to Barraba each week from Newcastle.
Located next to Barraba Rural traders on Alice Street, the business offers concrete and a range of materials such as topsoil, gravel, sand, turf underlay and decorative rocks. There is also a selection of succulents for sale for people wanting a waterwise garden. They also offer hire of box trailers with Andy planning on adding excavators for hire next year.
Andy says the response from locals has been very positive after their first month of operation. “There’s been very positive feedback. People seem to be excited that someone’s here with available landscape materials, and offering delivery in such a wide area. It’s been a good reception, including the fact that we are employing local people,” says Andy.
Barraba Landscape and Concrete Supplies are open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm, and Saturdays 8am-midday. Pre-booked concrete trucks can be on site earlier by arrangement. Their contact number is 0478 088 066.
