Almost 2,000 jobs for Victorians have already been created by the Metro Tunnel, and there are more to come with new people starting every week as work to take the project underground ramps up.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll at A’Beckett Street above the future State Library Station, where a massive new acoustic shed has been built to reduce noise, dust and light from construction of Victoria’s biggest public transport project.
More than 5 million hours have now been worked on the project – a major milestone that has significant knock-on benefits for the local economy.
Engineers, archaeologists and electricians are among the many people already on the job building the Metro Tunnel. Thousands more Victorians will soon join them, with many coming via a new Metro Tunnel training and jobs centre that will be unveiled later this year.
MetroHub is a partnership between the contractor Cross Yarra Partnership and Holmesglen Institute that will be located at its St Kilda Rd campus. Training and recruitment for the $6 billion tunnels and stations package will be done at MetroHub and people seeking a job on this package will also be able to register their interest there.
It will exceed local content targets, including sourcing locally more than 88 per cent of the materials used to build the new tunnels and underground stations. A new manufacturing facility in Melbourne’s west will help achieve these targets by producing more than 50,000 concrete segments to line the project’s twin nine-kilometre tunnels.
The Deer Park facility will create 80 new jobs, including jobs for up to 50 ex-auto workers. Local business will also benefit with 65 per cent of the project being delivered by small and medium sized businesses.
The A’Beckett Street shed is the second of four massive sheds to be built in the CBD to fully enclose construction activity as shafts are built to transport workers and equipment underground for station construction. It is more than 15 metres high, 40 metres long and 11 storeys deep.
The Metro Tunnel is set to be complete by the end of 2025, a year ahead of schedule. For more information on Metro Tunnel jobs, head to metrotunnel.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“The Metro Tunnel has already created 2,000 jobs and there are thousands more to come – meaning the project will transform Victoria’s economy as it transforms the public transport system.”
“We’re not wasting a minute in delivering this urgently-needed project, which will deliver more trains, more often across Melbourne.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Whether it’s building the Metro Tunnel, removing our most dangerous and congested level crossings, or delivering bigger trains – we’re delivering more jobs for Victorians and getting them home safer and sooner.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“The Metro Tunnel isn’t just unclogging the City Loop – it’s creating thousands of jobs, it’s giving apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets a leg up and it’s ensuring local businesses benefit through supplying materials.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020