A proposed world-first all-woman TBM crew set to be part of Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop has seen strong interest, with hundreds of women applying
Almost 870 women have applied to be part of the world’s first all-woman tunnel boring (TBM) crew that will help build Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL).
Expressions of interest have now closed, and applications are being assessed, with successful applicants to be provided with comprehensive training and hands on experience to gain relevant skills for the crew.
The team will be one of several TBM crews helping to carve the SRL East twin tunnels and will include around 25 highly skilled roles – including the TBM operator, gantry and segment crane operators, grouters and support roles.
SRL East Tunnels South construction manager Isolde Piet will lead the team, having a plethora of experience and being named the first TBM pilot in the world.
“A project the size and scope of SRL offers fantastic opportunities for women and it’s wonderful to see so many who want to develop their careers in construction,” Piet says.
With strong response to the expression of interest, there will be many who miss out on the TBM crew, but these applicants may be considered for other suitable roles on the project as part of the assessment process.
SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill will deliver six new underground stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill, with works now underway at every site.
Crews are building tunnel boring machine launch sites, moving underground services and preparing sites for major works.
Tunnelling will start in 2026 and the all-woman crew is expected to be operating by 2027.
For more information, visit All-women crew to build Victorian SRL tunnels.