Major construction to begin on $7.1bn QLD Train Manufacturing Program

Following the announcement of its appointment earlier this year, Downer EDI Limited and the Queensland Government have announced that contractual close has been achieved on the $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP). 

With the $4.6 billion contract officially signed and awarded, Downer can now begin the design and manufacture of new passenger trains to be used on the South East Queensland rail network. 

“Downer has more than 100 years of experience in delivering rollingstock projects in Queensland and our industry-leading engineering and maintenance practices will be applied in the delivery of the next generation of Queensland’s passenger train fleet. 

“We look forward to working closely with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to deliver this iconic project for the people of Queensland,” Downer Chief Executive Officer Peter Tompkins said. 

Scope of works under Downer’s contract include: 

• Designing, manufacturing and commissioning of 65 six-car passenger trains, which will be manufactured in Queensland 
• Designing and building two training simulators 
• Designing, constructing and commissioning the purpose-built train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea, in the Fraser Coast region 
• Designing, constructing and commissioning the rail facility for stabling and maintenance at Ormeau, in the Gold Coast region 
• Maintaining the new rollingstock fleet, simulators and the Ormeau maintenance facility for an initial term of 15 years and a maximum of up to 35 years 

“This isn’t about delivering 65 new trains, this is creating opportunities for Torbanlea, Maryborough, and the wider region. 

“With the contract signed and sealed, Downer Group will begin recruiting for the construction and manufacturing jobs that this project will bring. 

“Downer Group has committed to making jobs and training for Queenslanders its priority,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said. 

Construction of the manufacturing and maintenance facilities will begin this year. The first train is expected to be delivered in 2026 and all trains to be in service by 2032. 

The multi-billion-dollar Queensland Train Manufacturing Program will not only support economic growth in South East Queensland, it will also be a critical part of the Cross River Rail and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The State Government is committed to returning rail manufacturing to Maryborough. The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program alone will generate up to 800 construction and manufacturing jobs in the region as well as 3,000 jobs across Queensland. 

“This isn’t just about building trains – it’s an investment in the decades of skill we have here in Maryborough and in the generations of train builders to come,” Assistant Minister for Regional Roads and Train Manufacturing Bruce Saunders said. 

“We know our Queensland manufacturers are some of the best in the world, so it’s fantastic to be part of the Palaszczuk Labor Government that’s bringing train manufacturing back to local workshops,” Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said. 

“This is going to bring jobs, it is going to bring skills and it is going to bring career long opportunity for young people who want to stay in the region,” Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said. 

“The billions of dollars in investment by the Palaszczuk Government will bring rail manufacturing back home, securing the future of hundreds of workers in Maryborough,” State Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union Rohan Webb said. 

Train Manufacturing is part of Queensland’s record $89 billion Big Build that will deliver infrastructure over the next four years. This Big Build is expected to support 58,000 jobs over the next 24 months as part of this investment. 

“Our government made a promise to bring train building back to Maryborough, and we have delivered. 

“Not only does this $7.1 billion program secure generations of job security, skills and training in Maryborough, but it sets our state up for a strong transport future. 

“Because Queensland trains should be made in Queensland,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Downer Group (1, 2); Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads; Infrastructure Magazine