All-women TBM crew to build Suburban Rail Loop tunnels

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In a world first, an all-women tunnel boring machine (TBM) crew will help build Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley.

In a world first, an all-women tunnel boring machine (TBM) crew will help build the Allan Labor Government’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley – with Expressions of Interest now open for those who want to be a part of this city shaping project.

Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Danny Pearson today joined national and international experts at the Victorian Tunnelling Centre, to outline the training, recruitment and development program for the all-women crew. 

SRL East Tunnels South Construction Manager Isolde Piet will lead the highly-skilled crew of 25 which include a TBM operator, gantry and segment crane operators and support roles – opening up careers in construction for a new generation of women. 

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – Melbourne’s biggest infrastructure investment

Tunnelling contract awarded for Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is open to young women looking to start their careers or wanting to change industries. 

At least 10 per cent of total labour hours on the tunnels will be worked by women – with tunneling to start in 2026 and trains taking passengers by 2035. 

This world first is the culmination of the Labor Government’s decade long work to improve gender equality right across our major projects and transport sectors. 

From Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel, North East Link and now Suburban Rail Loop – our continued investment in skills and training for women has meant that more women now have more opportunities to work across our Big Build Projects. 

The first stage of the SRL will deliver six new underground stations between Cheltenham and Box Hill, which will slash travel times and congestion – while connecting people to 70,000 new homes, hundreds of thousands more jobs and world-class public services across Melbourne’s east and southeast.  

Expressions of Interest to be part of the all-female TBM crew, and other roles on this city-shaping project, can be registered at suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au/jobs.

Quote attributable to Tunnel Boring Machine Pilot Isolde Piet 

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of this incredible project and this history-making initiative, which I hope will encourage many more women to join the industry.”

Source: © Copyright State Government of Victoria

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