Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is delivering a major jobs boost for regional Victoria, with concrete production set to begin in Benalla for the southern section of the twin tunnels.
Premier Jacinta Allan and minister for the suburban rail loop Harriet Shing visited LS Precast in Benalla on Friday to confirm it will supply more than 96,000 concrete segments for the 16-kilometre tunnel section between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley.
The plant will manufacture around 170 segments daily, supporting over 75 local jobs and creating additional roles across the supply chain. Production will begin in October, ahead of tunnelling commencing next year.
“The Suburban Rail Loop is a project made by Victorians, for Victorians – and it will deliver thousands of jobs to support working families right across the state,” said Allan.
“Only Labor will deliver the Suburban Rail Loop and support thousands of jobs across Victoria.”
LS Precast, established in 2018 to support the State’s Big Build, has previously supplied 49,000 components for the West Gate Tunnel Project and is currently producing more than 46,000 segments for the North East Link.
Minister Shing warned that the project and its associated regional jobs are at risk under a Liberal Government.
“Brad Battin and the Liberals want to cancel the Suburban Rail Loop and that means sacking hundreds of people in Benalla and thousands across Victoria,” she said.
Jaclyn Symes, member for Northern Victoria, added: “The Suburban Rail Loop means hundreds of jobs for Benalla, with the project set to provide an economic boost that will be felt throughout regional Victoria.”
Once complete, SRL will dramatically cut travel times and connect key centres, including Monash and Deakin universities. A Traralgon patient will be able to reach Box Hill 31 minutes faster; a Geelong lecturer travelling to Monash will save seven minutes.
Trains will begin operating in 2035, supporting population growth and delivering faster, more reliable services for all Victorians.
