First tunnelling machine in ground by October
24.03.2014
First North West Rail Link tunnel boring machine to be in the ground by end of October as work moves forward on the $8.3 billion infrastructure investment.
At the new Bella Vista Station site, excavation has now started to prepare the site for the first tunnel boring machine. The tunnelling phase of construction will support around 900 jobs – with a major recruitment drive now underway. Tunnelling consortium Thiess John Holland Dragados is targeting Western Sydney in its recruitment of workers.
The workforce includes trades such as boilermakers, carpenters/formworkers, TBM operators, road header operators, tunnellers, electrical and mechanical trades, steel fixers, concreters, riggers, general labourers, scaffolders, traffic controllers, shotcreters, tunnel lining builders and truck/special vehicle operators.
These jobs are open to people who have had previous experience in the tunnelling and civil construction industry as well as new entrants.
Opportunities for direct employment will be available to young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as applicants from disadvantage groups.
Transport for NSW has set up a skills and employment advisory group made up of key State, Federal and industry stakeholders to provide advice on training, skills development and supply chain engagement.
More detail is available via the jobs section of the North West Rail Link website.
The remaining three tunnel boring machines will follow soon after the first, as work ramps up on building the 15km twin tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping.