The first tunnelling contract for Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East is providing significant opportunities for Victoria’s world-class construction industry.
An industry briefing this month outlined the jobs and opportunities for the state’s highly skilled suppliers and workers, with the Tunnels South contract committed to least 92% locally sourced goods and services as part of the Victorian Government’s Local Jobs First policy.
The $3.6 billion contract - to build the state’s longest tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley - was awarded last year to Suburban Connect, a consortium of CPB Contractors, Ghella and Acciona Construction.
The consortium is now calling for expressions of interest from suppliers to be part of this city-shaping project, with tunnelling to start in 2026.
Construction of SRL East is powering ahead, with works this year at all 6 station sites and the train stabling facility at Heatherton, with more than 1200 people already working on the project.
SRL East is creating up to 8000 direct local jobs, and at least 12% of hours on Tunnels South will be worked by trainees, apprentices and cadets - at least a third of these by women.
Further opportunities are also coming soon, with the Tunnels North contract for tunnelling between Glen Waverley and Box Hill to be awarded later this year, and 2 bidders shortlisted to build the SRL trains and signalling system, and operate and maintain the SRL East network.
SRL East will not only transform our public transport network, it will bring thousands more homes, jobs and local services to the neighbourhoods around each station - where people want to live.