The manufacturing of rolling stock will continue in the Queensland city of Maryborough, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk signing an agreement for $300 million in local rail manufacturing.
Announced at the Downer plant in the Fraser Coast city, the overhaul of diesel Tilt Trains and the IMU160 and SMU260 fleet will be conducted in Maryborough.
“The next decade brings new opportunities and a new era for Downer and for Maryborough as work begins to make Queensland’s fleet of New Generation Rollingstock trains disability compliant,” said Palaszczuk.
The ceremony came as Downer celebrated 150 years of manufacturing in Maryborough. In the intervening years, 2,000 railcars and locomotives have been built by Downer, with the first steam locomotive received by the Queensland government in 1896.
“It’s an incredible and proud history for a local industry which has provided critical infrastructure for Queensland and, importantly, sustained thousands of local jobs over the years,” said Palaszczuk.
“From the Maryborough workshop, Downer EDI has designed and built our tilt trains and delivered hundreds of units for our suburban and interurban rail network.”
Palaszczuk emphasised the importance of Downer’s manufacturing activities to the city of Maryborough.
“The Downer workshop is the beating heart of this city and it supports hundreds of families and locals,” she said.
“Through the decades its manufacturing excellence has kept our State on-track and powering ahead.”
Tim Young, executive general manager for Downer’s rollingstock services, highlighted how manufacturing activities were to continue at the site.
“With a strong pipeline of work for our factory, and the signing of this MOU with Queensland Rail, we hope to see this facility evolve and grow, enhancing our ongoing commitment to the Fraser Coast region.”