A publicly-owned train manufacturing facility will be built in Torbanlea to the tune of $239-million as part of the Queensland Governments multi-billion Dollar investment in state train infrastructure.
The announcement was made during a tour of Maryborough by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and several Ministers today.
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Ms Palaszczuk said a whopping $7.1-billion would be invested in Queensland’s train infrastructure to create jobs and rebuild the state’s economy.
Creating manufacturing jobs is an important part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Government said the Rail Expansion Program would create up to 3,000 jobs in construction and manufacturing across Queensland in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics.
“We’re investing in manufacturing to create long-term, secure jobs in regional Queensland,” the Premier said.
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Some 65 trains will be built at the Torbanlea facility, north of Maryborough.
Treasurer Cameron Dick said investing in Queensland made trains would create long-term quality jobs for many years to come.
“This investment in publicly-owned manufacturing facilities will support thousands of jobs well into the future,” Mr Dick said.
“Importantly, this commitment will include minimum local content requirements, along with the best industry standards, meaning we’re supporting Queenslander workers.”
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Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the rail investment would help create jobs and training opportunities for a generation of Queensland workers.
“We are delivering a pipeline of work over the next decade that will support up to 800 construction and manufacturing jobs in Maryborough.
“First, we will construct a purpose-built, publicly-owned train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea, north of Maryborough.
“Not only are we delivering trains, this $7.1-billion investment includes new rail infrastructure in the South-East and ongoing maintenance of Queensland’s newest fleet.”
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According to Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders, land at Torbanlea had already been selected for the new train building facility.
“The process to secure a property at Torbanlea, which is within 25km of the Maryborough CBD, is well underway,” Mr Saunders said.
“Maryborough will soon be delivering the best new trains in Australia – they’ll be modern and accessible – and the Heritage City should be proud of that,” he said.
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Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the commitment would benefit the whole of the Wide Bay.
“Building this new, publicly-owned factory in Torbanlea will not only help Maryborough, it will also support jobs and businesses in Hervey Bay,” Mr Tantari said.
“This investment, on the doorstep of Hervey Bay, will have a massive flow-on effect for years to come.”
A preferred supplier to build the 65 trains is expected to be named in the second half of 2022, with construction of the Torbanlea train building facility to follow.
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