KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 27): A joint venture (JV) between Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke has been shortlisted for the first stages of the AU$20 billion (RM60.48 billion) Sydney Metro West Project, according to Gamuda Bhd.

The Gamuda Australia-Laing O’Rourke Australia JV is one of three successful consortia shortlisted for the project’s first two major tunnelling packages, the group said in a statement today.

“The first stage of the project will now see Gamuda’s joint venture tendering for the Central Tunnelling package, which will involve the construction of the twin 11km tunnels from the Bays Precinct to Sydney Olympic Park.

“The two unsuccessful JVs will then compete for the Western Tunnelling package, the twin 9km tunnels from Sydney Olympic Park to Westmead. Both are sizable packages and the successful tenderer for the Central Tunnelling package will not be eligible for the Western Tunnelling package,” it added.

According to Gamuda, early works on the Sydney Metro West project are expected to begin by year-end, pending a planning approval, with the target of having tunnel boring machines in the ground by the fourth quarter of 2022.

Meanwhile, Gamuda, which set up Asia’s first Tunnelling Training Academy in 2011 that has since trained thousands of tunnel engineers and skilled superintendents, said it plans to replicate the training academy in New South Wales to upskill the local construction workforce.
 
"Gamuda has more than 20 years of experience in delivering world-class tunnelling projects around the world. We also have an excellent track record in creating jobs and training during the project delivery," it added.

Shares in Gamuda settled three sen or 0.88% lower at RM3.36 apiece today, with 1.77 million shares done. This gave the group a market capitalisation of RM8.45 billion.

Edited by Tan Choe Choe