From the serious to silly SA looks to continue time-honoured tunnelling tradition by asking the public to name its machines
You may have heard of Ctrl Alt Deleaf – the UK’s newest leaf-removal train – or the infamous Boaty McBoatface, but a bit closer to home it’s your time to shine as South Australia looks to name the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) delivering the River Torrens to Darlington Project.
Julia Drillard, Diggy Azalea and The Drilltop Hoods are just some of the almost 2,000 names already submitted. Naming TBMs is a tunnelling tradition dating back to the 1500s, with female names chosen in honour of Saint Barbara the patron saint of tunnellers.
Submissions so far range from the iconic to the ironic – with inspiring South Australian women, pop culture icons and much-loved local legends being nominated.
Some creative suggestions include:
- Julia Drillard
- Diggy Azalea
- The Drilltop Hoods
- Borer the Explorer
- Kath, Kim and Sharon
- Aurora Bore-alis
- Drillcilla Queen of the Dirt
- Bluey, Bingo and Chilli
- Ms Frog Cake
- Mrs Diggity Dig Dig
- Shovelina
- Tina Churner
- Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Giant Tunnel Boring Machiny
Each TBM will carry a name of its own, continuing a centuries-old custom that gives these mega machines individual identities and helps crews and communities follow their journey underground.
Those yet to enter have until 5pm, Sunday 30 November 2025, to submit a name, along with a short description of why they would be a fitting choice.
After entries close, a shortlist will be released for community voting and the winning names will be announced before tunnelling begins.
Details about the TBM naming competition can be found at: www.t2d.sa.gov.au/help-name-our-tunnel-boring-machines
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Meanwhile, the TBM cutterhead, which arrived in Adelaide last month in five pieces, has now been fully assembled so that the pieces can be welded together, a process which is expected to take up to eight weeks.
At approximately 15 metres in diameter and about 300 tonnes, the cutterhead is the largest piece of the TBM.
The T2D Project’s second TBM has received the green light to be shipped to South Australia, following successful Factory Acceptance Testing in China.
The remaining components of the first TBM and the first components of the second TBM are expected to arrive in Adelaide by the end of 2025.
Two TBMs will launch from the Southern Precinct to construct the twin 4.5km Southern Tunnels, while a third TBM will launch from the Central North Precinct at Richmond to construct the twin 2.2km Northern Tunnels.