ICN Victoria has been working with Downer to maximise local content for the $2.3 billion High Capacity Metro Trains Project.
As part of the process, more than 250 Victorian SMEs attended a series of two briefings in March and April to learn more about contract opportunities for local businesses.
In a public-private partnership, the Victorian Government is joining with Evolution Rail, comprising of Downer, CRRC Changchun and Plenary, on the HCMT project to build Melbourne’s next generation metropolitan train fleet.
Feedback has been positive, with many of those in attendance keen to be involved.
One of the briefings focused on the depots and stabling yards that Downer will build in Pakenham East. The depot will include maintenance facilities, a stabling yard and a train simulator, and will have the flexibility to cater for the future train maintenance needs of the network.
Sergio Cinerari, Chief Executive Officer, Downer Infrastructure Services, told the crowd that the depot build would achieve 87 per cent local content and deliver an invaluable boost to local industry and business.
‘Maximising work for local business is a key objective of the HCMT procurement process,’ he said.
‘Downer understands the challenges and opportunities for Victorian manufacturers in the global economy.’
He said the HCMT project will deliver 1,100 highly-skilled jobs, including more than 100 long-term jobs at the new depot.
Executive Director Don Matthews said the industry briefings were a key component in identifying local capacity and ensuring major project owners met local content requirements.