Nearly 500 people, including almost 300 locals, have been employed on the Beveridge to Albury Tranche 2 (B2AT2) Inland Rail project before major construction starts in 2025.
The B2AT2 consists of eight construction sites at Benalla, Euroa, Wandong, Seymour, Tallarook, and Broadford to achieve clearances to allow the passage of double-stacked freight trains.
Between June and October 2024, 485 professionals, including design engineers, electricians, geologists, landscape architects, and traffic controllers, began actively preparing for the upcoming construction work.
Though the first sod is yet to be turned, locals have already secured 290 jobs, with women filling 108 of the available positions.
Site inspections and early works have taken place at all sites, and construction work is planned to begin first at Euroa early in the new year, followed by Broadford and Benalla.
Inland Rail construction partner John Holland is encouraging businesses to register their interest for upcoming supplier opportunities related to various project work packages.
The packages, open until January 6, 2025, involve line marking, the supply and installation of soil nails, prestressed anchors, and rock bolts.
Inland Rail Delivery Director Beveridge to Albury Ed Walker said it was amazing to find residents connected to the project.
“Next year will be a major year of delivery in Victoria with all our 12 construction sites either commenced or completed,” he said.
“It’s great to see so many locals working on the project and this will only increase when Tranche 2 construction begins.
“I’m particularly pleased with the number of jobs taken up by women so early in Tranche 2, which is exciting for the construction and rail industries.”
