Two wins for Plenary projects at 2026 National Infrastructure Awards

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Two Plenary projects have been awarded the industry’s highest honours at the 2026 National Infrastructure Awards, with the High Capacity Metro Trains public-private partnership recognised for Government Partnerships Excellence and the UNSW Health Translation Hub winning the Industry Choice Award.

The annual awards, hosted by peak industry body Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, celebrate outstanding achievements in the delivery of significant infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand.

The $2.4 billion High Capacity Metro Trains project delivered 70 purpose-built metro trains for Melbourne’s rail network alongside two new rail maintenance facilities at Pakenham East and Calder Park – all within budget. The project was delivered as a public-private partnership by the Plenary-led Evolution Rail consortium in partnership with the Victorian Government.

The scope of works saw the 70 trains assembled locally at Newport, ready to commence operations through the new Melbourne Metro Tunnel in 2025, with full passenger services commencing in February this year. Evolution Rail is overseeing the maintenance of the trains over a 35-year period.

The judging panel recognised the exemplary partnership between Evolution Rail and the Victorian Government, which delivered a complex rolling stock PPP within budget. Judges also commended the collaboration between the consortium and public sector for significantly exceeding local content and employment benchmarks, as well as navigating Covid-19 and international supply chain disruptions. 

The $600 million UNSW Health Translation Hub is a new purpose-built education, research and health infrastructure facility located within the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct. The 15-storey campus, which integrates with the broader university and hospital facilities, includes education, training and research facilities, ambulatory care clinics, supporting facilities, and 2,500 square metres of north-facing open public space.

While the UNSW Health Translation Hub won the Industry Choice Award by gathering the highest number of votes from industry, judges initially shortlisted the project in recognition of the consortium’s successful integration of the project with multiple existing complex facilities and health programs, including through the UNSW Kensington Campus, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre and The George Institute for Global Health.

The panel also commended the project’s integration of research, training and learning facilities into a single site, while also achieving strong sustainability outcomes across delivery, including its design to achieve net zero emissions throughout its operations.

Attending the ceremony, Plenary CEO Paul Crowe said, “Both these awards are resounding acknowledgements from industry judges and our peers of everything High Capacity Metro Trains and UNSW Health Translation Hub stand for – genuine partnerships between Plenary, public and higher education sectors that have culminated in tangible community benefits while delivering exemplar design outcomes, local employment and social procurement opportunities.”