The Victorian Government has announced that LS Precast in Benalla will produce over 96,000 concrete segments for the southern section of the Suburban Rail Loop, supporting local manufacturing jobs and contributing to a major state infrastructure project.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop Harriet Shing visited the Benalla facility, Victoria’s largest precast concrete manufacturing site, to announce the contract award.
The facility will produce the segments needed to build a 16-kilometre twin tunnel between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley, with production set to begin in October and tunnelling to commence next year.
The announcement is expected to deliver direct employment for more than 75 local workers and generate additional jobs across the supply chain. The Benalla facility will manufacture approximately 170 segments per day for the project.
“The Suburban Rail Loop is a project made by Victorians, for Victorians – and it will deliver thousands of jobs to support working families right across the state,” Premier Allan said.
“Only Labor will deliver the Suburban Rail Loop and support thousands of jobs across Victoria.”
LS Precast was established in 2018 as part of the state’s infrastructure pipeline and has since contributed to major transport projects including the West Gate Tunnel and the North East Link.
The company has already delivered 49,000 concrete products for the West Gate Tunnel Project and is currently producing more than 46,000 segments for the North East Link.
The SRL is projected to connect major employment and education hubs, reduce congestion, and create housing opportunities near key stations.
According to the Victorian Government, more than 3,000 people are currently working on the project, with suppliers and subcontractors from across the state contributing to the delivery of the Cheltenham to Box Hill section.
“The Suburban Rail Loop means hundreds of jobs for Benalla, with the project set to provide an economic boost that will be felt throughout regional Victoria,” said Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes.
The government says the SRL will reduce travel times for regional Victorians accessing Melbourne’s education and health precincts. For example, patients from Traralgon could reach Box Hill up to 31 minutes faster, while travel from Geelong to Monash University may be reduced by seven minutes.
Minister Shing said the SRL supports statewide economic growth and employment. “Brad Battin and the Liberals want to cancel the Suburban Rail Loop and that means sacking hundreds of people in Benalla and thousands across Victoria,” she said.
Trains on the new SRL line are expected to begin passenger services in 2035, with the project delivering improved transport access alongside 70,000 new homes near stations.
