The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a better NSW, today opening a high-tech facility that will fabricate the new Western Harbour Tunnel and create around 700 quality manufacturing jobs in Western Sydney.
The new, purpose-built facility at Emu Plains will precast individual concrete segments and culverts. They will then be put in place by the two largest tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in the Southern Hemisphere as they excavate under Sydney Harbour.
The walls, roof and floor of the huge tunnel, which is the size of three Metro tunnels, will be fitted together from thousands of concrete pieces made by skilled local workers and fitted together like a giant precision-cut jigsaw.
More than 13,000 concrete segments and nearly 1,400 culverts will be custom built in the state-of-the-art facility in Emu Plains, before being transported to the tunnels via the M4 and WestConnex.
The Emu Plains site is an Australian first. It is expected to operate for up to three years for the project and has the potential to be used by other projects or businesses in future, making it a lasting legacy of the tunnel project.
The tunnel boring machines are expected to arrive in Sydney later this year, before being assembled deep underground below Birchgrove. They will tunnel 1.5km from Birchgrove to Waverton, under the Sydney Harbour seabed, connecting the northern and southern ends of the project.
The Minns Labor Government is investing $4.2 billion over four years to deliver Sydney's first road crossing of the harbour in almost 30 years.
The 6.5 kilometre tunnel will connect the Warringah Freeway in North Sydney to the WestConnex M4 and M8 at Rozelle Interchange, helping drivers bypass the CBD and making it easier, faster and safer to get around Sydney.
As the Government continues to champion women's economic opportunities, particularly in historically male dominated industries, of the 700 jobs created at this facility there will be a target of 50 per cent women. Over 7,000 construction jobs will be created through building the Western Harbour Tunnel.
Due to open to traffic in 2028, under the Minns Labor Government this city shaping Project will remain in public hands. This is in direct contrast to the former Liberal National Government who sold off roads which were paid for and owned by the People of New South
Wales, resulting in rising toll prices controlled by a private company and have continued to champion privatisation from opposition.
You can find more details on the project here
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
"This is a city shaping project which is literally being manufactured piece by piece in Western Sydney.
"We know that Sydney is growing, and we are working hard to address the housing crisis and bring Sydney's CBD back to life - the fact is we can't do any of that if we don't have the roads we need to get people safely and quickly from A to B.
"Today's announcement is a big milestone in our work to deliver this major project. At the same time this will provide a massive boost for our states manufacturing capability, bringing more jobs and opportunity to Western Sydney.
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"It's exciting to see this facility open for business today and ready to build Sydney's second harbour tunnel with local talent and world's best technology.
"We are proud of the work to encourage more women into construction through this new facility.
"The Western Harbour Tunnel is one of 23 Government pilot projects trialing increased targets of for women in trade and introducing a new target of 7% for non-traditional roles."
Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Acting Minister for Western Sydney Courtney Houssos said:
"Delivering a project of this scale requires specialised manufacturing and state-of-the-art technology. We're investing in smart, modern manufacturing right here in Emu Plains to lift our capabilities.
"This project is another example of how our Minns Labor Government is spending our government procurement dollars to create more well-paid, highly skilled jobs right here in NSW.
"We're backing Western Sydney workers by providing them the tools, opportunities and facilities to deliver this critical piece of infrastructure, right at their doorstep."
Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown said:
"Emu Plains has a long and proud history of manufacturing quality infrastructure, and it's great to see that continue with this new facility.
"700 quality, manufacturing jobs right here in Western Sydney is a massive win and I'm proud of the Government's work to promote gender equality in a historically male dominated industry.
"The opening of this factory in Emu Plains proves yet again that we are the engine room of the state."
