Melbourne Cricket Ground
24-26 November 2025
Australia
Australia
At Project Controls Expo Australia, we’re passionate about shining a light on trailblazing initiatives that inspire change in the infrastructure and project delivery space. One such story that has recently captured our attention is coming from none other than Suburban Rail Loop — and it’s making waves globally.
As part of the ambitious Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East, which will deliver 26 kilometres of twin tunnels and six new underground stations in Melbourne’s east, SRL is building history.
In a global first, an all-women Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) crew will be part of the team driving the twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley. This bold and empowering move is being led by none other than Isolde Shepherd-Piet, the world’s first female TBM pilot and a veteran of the global tunnelling community.
Isolde brings over 20 years of international experience, from the Netherlands and Turkey to Australia. Her technical expertise, combined with a passion for mentorship and diversity, is set to inspire a new generation of women in engineering and construction.
Last year, a dedicated recruitment campaign received nearly 900 applications from women, proving there’s no shortage of interest — only opportunity. The applicants came from a wide range of backgrounds: construction and tunnelling of course, but also hospitality, HR, administration, customer service, beauty therapy, and more.
Two new crew members, Chhunly Taing and Michelle Killoran, have already been announced. Both transitioned from entirely different industries into construction — and now, into the heart of one of the country’s most iconic infrastructure projects.
Michelle puts it simply:
“It’s important that we continue encouraging women to apply for jobs in the industry, and it’s great to see that there are programs in place to provide women with those opportunities.”
Chhunly adds:
“Many people think that women can’t do this work. But my journey, and this crew, are proof that it’s entirely possible.”
With tunnelling scheduled to start in 2026 and this pioneering team expected to be on the machines by 2027, the Victorian Tunnelling Centre is playing a key role in training and upskilling. Importantly, women who aren't selected for TBM roles are being considered for other opportunities across the project — reinforcing the opportunities for long-term workforce diversity and inclusion offered by a project of this size and scope.
The broader SRL East project is creating up to 8,000 direct jobs, offering sustainable career paths for young people, women, Aboriginal workers, and those from disadvantaged communities.
Stories like these aren’t just inspiring — they’re essential. At Project Controls Expo Australia, we’re deeply committed to promoting greater diversity in the project controls and infrastructure sectors. Through initiatives like our Women in Project Controls program, developed in collaboration with Engineers Australia (EA) and the Australian Cost Engineering Society (ACES), we aim to provide platforms for women to connect, lead, and grow across the entire project lifecycle.
We want to spotlight the game-changers — from site to systems, from boardrooms to boring machines. If you’re part of or aware of initiatives making an impact, especially those championing gender equity in our field, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s continue breaking down barriers — and building up bold futures.
Follow us for more inspiring stories, and join us at the next Project Controls Expo Australia to see how we’re celebrating innovation, diversity, and the future of project delivery.
For media enquiries or to contribute to future events, contact:
Alicja Serafin | Event Manage | Project Controls Expo Australia
Email: alicja@projectcontrolexpo.com
Source: Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Australia
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