The Victorian Government has announced it will build a new tram maintenance and stabling facility in Melbourne’s west to house 100 new Next Generation Trams.
The facility will be built on a vacant site in Maidstone near Highpoint Shopping Centre, and is expected to create around 280 jobs in construction, ongoing maintenance, and in the supply chain.
Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll said the project would also see a more reliable, accessible and modern tram fleet servicing communities in this part of Melbourne – reducing the need for new tracks and other infrastructure.
“We are leading the nation in tram and train manufacturing, and this project will support hundreds of skilled jobs,” said Minister Carroll.
“This new facility will play a critical role as we transform Melbourne’s iconic tram network and deliver better and more accessible services for passengers.”
As the government continues to expand its Melbourne tram fleet, the $1.85 billion project in Maidstone will become the home of the new trams as existing depots reach capacity.
Mr Carroll said the project team would engage with the local community and businesses before detailed planning begins, and would consider how the development can best celebrate the history of the local area.
He said the new Next Generation Trams would set the standard for modern public transport and deliver a more comfortable, accessible, and energy-efficient journey for passengers. The project also includes a minimum local contract quota of 65%, supporting skilled manufacturing jobs.
The contract to design, build and maintain the trams will be awarded in early 2022 following a tender evaluation process.
