By rosebell
As one of several TBM crews team for building the SRL East twin tunnels, the world’s first all-women TBM crew working on Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) has recieved around 870 request from women.
Involving almost 25 highly skilled roles, such as the TBM operator, gantry and segment crane operators, grouters and support roles, this team is due to be led by SRL East Tunnels South construction manager Isolde Piet, who was the first female TBM pilot in the world.
According to Piet: “A project the size and scope of Suburban Rail Loop offers fantastic opportunities for women and it’s wonderful to see so many who want to develop their careers in construction.”
The deadline for expressions of Interest was October 4 and currently applications are being assessed. Women selected for the program will complete comprehensive training and hands-on experience to gain the necessary skills, whereas with such a strong response, women not selected for the TBM crew roles may also be considered for other suitable roles on the project as part of the assessment process.
Delivery of six new underground stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill, will be up to SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill and works are under way at every site.
At the moment construction of TBM launch sites, moving underground services and preparing sites for major works are the undergoing works of crews. While over than 1400 people already working on this project, construction of SRL East is creating up to 8,000 jobs.
The scheduled date for commencing the tunneling process is 2026 and the all-women crew is expected to be operating by 2027.
In order to building the 16km of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley, where the all-women crew will be one of eight crews operating,Consortium Suburban Connect is delivering the Tunnel South contract. At least 10% of total labour hours on the Tunnels South works will be worked by women.
