Boring Chadstone building to play key role in Metro Tunnel project

How are road tunnels created? Thousands of workers to bore the Metro Tunnel will learn the cutting-edge craft at a new Australian-first training centre in Chadstone, to include a replica tunnel as wide as a freeway.

The work may be boring, but training for it could be anything but.

Work has started on an Australian-first training centre to be built in Chadstone which will help thousands of workers learn the skills needed to build the Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel and other major transport works.

The $16 million Victorian Tunnelling Centre will train about 3500 local workers in tunnel boring machine operation and underground construction each year at Holmesglen Institute’s Drummond St campus.

The centre, which will take about four months to build, is 10m high and will feature a replica Metro Tunnel and another as wide as a three-lane freeway, as well as three workrooms and facilities across its 61m length.

It is modelled on similar academies in London and Kuala Lumpur.

There are multiple training areas at the centre.

Virtual reality training programs also form part of the centre.

Oakleigh state Labor MP Steve Dimopoulos said combined with already having “the leading research and development precinct in Australia around Monash Uni, now we will be at the centre of construction and technical training”.

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“Because of all the infrastructure work underway around Victoria, and with the expertise at Holmesglen, this centre is at the right place and comes precisely at the right time,” he said.

“It’s an investment that will pay us back for years to come.”

Basic training for workers is already provided by Holmesglen, with new courses to be introduced at the centre, including virtual reality tunnelling, mined and bored tunnel inductions and self-rescue techniques.

Six massive tunnel boring machines are needed to build the West Gate Tunnel and Metro Tunnel projects, with the Metro Tunnel’s first machine recently launched from North Melbourne.

The project recently reached a major construction milestone with the first tunnel breakthrough for the new State Library Station occurring under Swanston St, near Franklin St.

This station will connect to Melbourne Central Station through an underground pedestrian connection, which will allow people to interchange between the Metro Tunnel and City Loop services.

Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney said the centre would “not only create jobs and help build our state — it will ensure Victorians are at the forefront of tunnelling skills and innovation”.

Holmesglen Institute was contacted for comment.