Work is underway to build a massive new, state-of-the-art train depot for Melbourne’s new bigger trains, creating hundreds of local jobs in Pakenham.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan in Pakenham East today, where the Andrews Labor Government is building a cutting-edge facility to house and maintain its new fleet of high-capacity metro trains (HCMTs).
The new 118-hectare facility will include maintenance facilities, a train simulator and stabling for up to 30 trains.
It will be built with 87 per cent local content – creating 400 jobs during construction and supporting 100 skilled ongoing jobs once the facility is operational.
The depot will also provide skills and opportunities to young workers and those reskilling from other industries.
At least 15 per cent of the work carried out on the more than $2 billion HCMT project will be done by apprentices, trainees and cadets, and 7 per cent of the workforce will be filled by workers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Unlike the former Liberal Government – who planned to build trains overseas – the Labor Government is building its new trains in Victoria, for Victoria.
The 65 HCMT’s will all be built in Newport – creating 1,110 local jobs. It’s part of the tens-of-thousands of jobs that will be created across Victoria by the Labor Government’s record investment in major transport projects.
This investment is already creating hundreds of jobs in Pakenham, building more than 2,000 huge concrete segments for the elevated line that will remove nine dangerous level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong.
The new Pakenham East facility will complete by the end of 2018, when the first of the 65 new HCMTs ordered by the Labor Government is due to arrive.
For more information, visit economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“These state-of-the-art trains will be built in the inner west, stabled in the south east and create hundreds of jobs across Victoria.”
“It’s part of our record investment in transport to create jobs and get people home safer and sooner, every day.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“The new depot will house and maintain Victoria’s new fleet of high-capacity trains, which will reduce crowding and create space for more passengers on our train network as Victoria grows.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Daniel Mulino
“We’re investing in a better transport system for Victoria, and creating hundreds of local jobs right here in Pakenham.”