Thanks to a $12 billion investment, the Hunter is set to once again become one of Australia’s largest train manufacturing hubs.
NSW Premier Chris Minns declared at the weekend the Labor government would outlay the funding to establish a long-term production pipeline.
It’ll also deliver a new state-owned train manufacturing facility in the Hunter, operated by a private manufacturer, alongside a rolling stock conduit over 15 years.
After an extensive search, two potential locales have been identified – a former coal mine at Teralba and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot near where the original Tangara fleet was built between 1986 and 1998.
It’s understood site selection will be subject to due diligence and stakeholder consultation.
In the case of Teralba, further engagement with Glencore and partners is required, too.
“The Hunter knows how to build trains,” Mr Minns said.
“Our job is to make sure it has the opportunity to build them again.
“But, we’re not announcing a one-off order of trains.
“We’re building a long-term pipeline of work that gives industry the confidence to start investing in NSW, employing apprentices in NSW and grow local supply chains.
“When the government spends billions of dollars on new trains, I want as much of that investment as possible staying here in NSW, creating jobs, supporting businesses and strengthening regional communities.”
Following construction of the new Tangaras, the pipeline will continue with the replacement of the Millennium and OSCAR fleets in the 2040s, ahead of the Waratahs in the 2050s.
The investment forms part of the plan to rebuild train manufacturing after 12 years of offshoring jobs by the former Coalition government.
It also delivers on Labor’s election commitments to set a target of a minimum 50% local content for rolling stock contracts… and to begin procurement of the new Tangara fleet by the end of the first term in office.
“Rail manufacturing is an important chapter in our history and now, under our government, it will be an important part of our future, too,” Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
“So, we look forward to bringing on the next generation of workers to deliver the future fleet.
“This is more than just good local procurement policy.
“It is an assurance that the NSW Government is committed to strengthening jobs and opportunities for NSW families.”
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp echoed those sentiments.
“Newcastle is a proud manufacturing city,” he said.
“We built the Tangaras, we assembled the Waratahs, and now we are building the NSW trains of the future.
“This purpose-built facility is going to generate many local jobs and train the next generation of manufacturers.”
The proposed site is expected to employ up to 780 workers in construction and 550 ongoing jobs in the facility and supply chains.
And, to begin rebuilding the Hunter train manufacturing workforce, the NSW Government has also established two production lines of the $447 million Tangara Life Extension program at the Cardiff rail precinct.
That, alone, will employ 100 qualified workers and 20 apprentices.
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