Ventia is proud of its longstanding partnership with EastLink, the fastest and safest motorway in Melbourne, operating and maintaining the 40-kilometre stretch for ConnectEast since it opened in 2008.
In 2020, our Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) team signed a contract extension to build on its evolving 12-year relationship with client, ConnectEast and we will continue to provide a diverse range of services to support the roads and tunnels of Victoria's EastLink for the next seven-years.
Ventia has developed a strong alliance with ConnectEast and an enviable reputation in the transport industry through its outstanding performance delivering services safely, with speed and precision in a complex and high-risk work environment, including:
- Road traffic control centre operations 24/7
- Incident response 24/7
- Asset management
- Mechanical and electrical maintenance
- Civil maintenance and repair
- Landscaping for 450 hectares of roadway and share paths.
Carrying 250,000 vehicles a day, EastLink is considered a premium motorway, largely due to the commitment of the alliance to maintain a high-quality asset and operate it to the benefit of all customers and the overall road network in Melbourne.
A focus on community and sustainability
United in delivering environmental and social outcomes, Ventia worked closely with EastLink, Swinburne University of Technology students and local residents in 2019 to develop a 2,000 square metre green recreation space atop the Mullum Mullum tunnel portal, contributing to the greater diversity of flora and fauna in the locality. The low maintenance landscape solution focused on soil amelioration, plant establishment and irrigation, with residents surveyed on design and a community planting day bringing the garden to fruition.
Our community and sustainability focus that has supported EastLink to be internationally recognised in the 2019 GRESB Infrastructure Sustainability Assessment, awarded the top, 5-star rating for the fourth consecutive year.
Power use has been reduced by 68% and audible noise halved through the introduction of an award winning VoD system that ultimately saves 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum.
Innovative thinking
Recognised for tackling challenges with lateral thinking and innovative approaches our team has deployed creative strategies to manage risk safely. Where access to a covered area to perform traditional weed management was incredibly difficult, a goat herd was hired to clear the overgrown blackberry brush and other non-native varietals that could potentially catch fire.
ITS has pioneered training exclusively to improve safety for emergency and incident first responders on high speed roads that attracted significant Victorian Government funding. Program development is now underway with EastLink, in collaboration with state emergency services, Monash University and Holmesglen TAFE with the first phase of training to be provided to 360 first responders from EastLink, VicRoads and other emergency services.
With ever changing legislation, standards, technology and traffic patterns challenging us to advance and do better, the refreshed contract with EastLink aims to build on the recognised high quality and performance standards of the alliance through enhanced performance criteria focused on sustainability, optimising asset performance, safety and innovation.
Having been involved with EastLink since its inception, our intimate knowledge of the arterial means we find cost savings and innovation where others would not think to look, benefitting our client, road users, local residents and communities.
Ventia is instrumental in supporting ConnectEast (EastLink) in maintaining its 5 star ESG rating from GRESB¹ with EastLink ranking #2 globally for Transport | Road Companies in 2021. As our valued partner, Ventia works closely with EastLink to support and enhance our environmental and sustainability credentials.
Charles Griplas, Managing Director, ConnectEast Group
¹GRESB - Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmarking (Infrastructure Assessment)
