Metro Tunnel boss says project faces challenges from tight job market

HUGE competition for construction workers is posing challenges for the $11b Metro Tunnel project. But the boss overseeing it says it’s on track.

THE $11 billion Metro Tunnel project is facing challenges from a tight job market.

Melbourne Metro Rail Authority CEO Evan Tattersall has revealed that the project is competing intensely for scarce construction workers.

“The whole east coast of Australia is busy, you’ve got all this stuff happening in Sydney, and Brisbane is about to start,” he told the Herald Sun.

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“Normally, when you’re busy in Australia, it’s not so busy around the rest of the world, a lot of resources tend to come in.”

Mr Tattersall said it was a big challenge, but his team was managing tender processes to cope with huge global demands on civil infrastructure projects over the next decade.

Excavations at the former site of the Melbourne City Square.

“It’s a major increase, which the market will adjust to, but it’s not something we’re taking lightheartedly,” he said.

The project to build a new metro line with five CBD stations is on track to open in 2025.

Acoustic sheds to shield the public from underground station works will be built by year’s end at City Square, Franklin St, A’Beckett St and the Domain interchange on St Kilda Rd.

Some buildings next to Young and Jackson Hotel on Swanston St have been demolished, while an archaeological dig next to the pub is due to start soon.

Any artefacts found from the city’s early European settlement could be displayed at the completed station or given to museums.

The Metro authority is still in talks with the Melbourne City Council about the possibility of the City Library in Flinders Lane being relocated to a proposed new building above the future station entrance next to Young and Jackson.

Mr Tattersall also revealed that the tourist visitor centre at Federation Square will be demolished around mid-year to allow works for an entrance for the new Town Hall station.

It is expected that the visitor centre will reopen at Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St.

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@JMasanauskas