Workers in the Latrobe Valley are helping to power the Andrews Labor Government’s bigger and longer trains.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll today visited Times Electric Australia in Morwell, which is making the traction system for Melbourne’s 65 new High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT).
The Morwell facility is creating new employment opportunities for locals, with a number of staff transitioning from previous roles in forestry, coal-fired power, construction and aviation.
The facility has already created jobs for 16 local workers in a variety of roles – from manufacturing and logistics to administration.
The traction system made in Morwell propels the train using motors, gearboxes and invertors, while the electrical auxiliary systems power the train’s internal lighting and air-conditioning, and provide emergency power when overhead line power is not available.
Once the systems are complete, they are sent from Morwell to Newport where the trains are being assembled and fitted out.
The Labor Government’s $2.3 billion HCMT Project is the single largest order of new trains in the state’s history and will be built using local suppliers and businesses from across Victoria – generating around 1,100 jobs.
The trains will start running on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines from mid-2019. For more information on the High Capacity Metro Trains Project, visit transport.vic.gov.au/biggertrains.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“We’re building the state’s largest single order of new trains in Victoria – creating jobs for regional Victorians.”
“We said we’d support workers in transition in Latrobe Valley and that’s exactly what we’ve done through the High Capacity Metro Trains project and countless others.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“We’re guaranteeing more local work than ever before on our major projects and helping transition workers into new and emerging industries.”
“We’ll continue to stand with the Latrobe Valley to make sure locals get their fair share of work on the state’s multi-billion pipeline of infrastructure projects.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020