Leighton to Build Melbourne’s New Southern Cross Station

Issue Date:  02 July 2002
Issued By:  Leighton Holdings Limited

The Company Announcements Office
The Australian Stock Exchange Limited
Level 4
20 Bridge Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Dear Sir

Re: Leighton to Build Melbourne’s New Southern Cross Station

Please find attached a copy of a media release to be issued today by Leighton Contractors Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leighton Holdings Limited.

Yours faithfully,


A.J. MOIR
Company Secretary

Leighton to Build Melbourne’s New Southern Cross Station

Issue Date: 2 July 2002
Issued by: Leighton Contractors Pty Limited

Leighton Contractors was today selected by the Victorian Government, as part of the Civic Nexus consortium, to design and construct Melbourne’s new Southern Cross Station.

Over the next two and a half years, Leighton will help to transform the existing Spencer Street Station into a world class transport and interchange facility that will be known as Southern Cross Station. This involves the construction of a new interchange facility that will cover the existing rail station with a vast roof, the refurbishing and upgrading of new rail platforms, escalators, ticket barriers and walkways, dedicated passenger lounges, baggage check-in areas, multi media information display systems, and integrating a new coach and bus terminal, taxi rank and a range of other high quality train and bus service facilities that will be easy to access and enjoyable to use.

As part of the works, Leighton will also undertake a rail infrastructure upgrade that includes track work and platform modifications, and associated electrical infrastructure works. This shall be integrated with the upgrade of the existing signalling to country and regional lines.

Leighton Contractors Managing Director Bob Merkenhof said he was very pleased to have been selected. “We are committed to building a prestigious transport interchange facility that the Victorian Government and communities involved can be proud of and satisfied with. Our engineering expertise and significant experience in managing complex urban projects within an operating environment will help to obtain the best project outcomes.”

As well as managing the design process with consultants and constructing the transport facilities, Leighton will be focused on coordinating the stakeholder and community interface to ensure that  disruption to commuters and pedestrians is minimised while the existing rail environment remains operational.

Leighton Contractors General Manager, Ian Luck explained, “While we are building this new transport interchange facility, our priority will be to create and maintain a safe environment, such as clearly marked and protected access areas, for both commuters and pedestrians. The safety and health of the 600 workers expected to be employed on-site during the construction period will be of equal importance.”

One of the key features of the new rail terminal will be the spectacular undulating roof structure and the grand arrivals hall.

Ian Luck said, “Our consultant team have designed a world class facility that will impress visitors and create an exciting and comfortable travel experience.  The station will be covered with a vast sweeping roof that will be 42,000 square metres in area and about 23 metres in height at its highest point.  The station will offer commuters and the general public a daily transparency into the operation of a major interchange facility through extensive high glazed facades along Spencer Street and Collins Street.”

He said, “Southern Cross Station will become a distinctive landmark and transport facility for Victorians.”

Leighton Contractors has completed similar infrastructure projects including the Homebush Olympic Rail Station and loop, Jolimont rail rationalisation projects, Brisbane to Robina rail line and Enfield marshalling yards in Sydney.  

Leighton Contractors is an Australian market leader in the delivery of complex infrastructure, project development, contract mining and construction. The company currently has in excess of $1.2 billion worth of work in hand and employs approximately 1,800 people.   

For further information, please contact
Ian Luck
General Manager, VIC, SA, & Tas
Leighton Contractors
Telephone: (03) 9228 7703

Annie Stante
Manager, Corporate Affairs
Leighton Contractors
Telephone: (02) 9925 6675 or (0413) 316 948