Work to rebuild train manufacturing in the Hunter is underway, with the expression of interest now open for manufacturing firms to design and build the next fleet of NSW suburban passenger trains.
This kickstarts the Minns Labor Government’s $12 billion program to build a state-owned train manufacturing facility, which will shore up a 30-year pipeline of domestic train manufacturing in the Hunter, supporting hundreds of local jobs and rebuilding a capability that was sent offshore by the former government.
The program comes as the future of local train manufacturing again emerges as a clear policy difference in NSW. One Nation’s NSW leader Mike Newman has attacked the Government’s $12 billion investment and proposed an alternative model involving overseas technology partners and foreign state financing.
The Minns Labor Government’s plan is clear. Build trains here, rebuild the local workforce and supply chain, and create the certainty industry needs to invest in NSW for decades to come.
The new generation of trains will be the most advanced fleet ever built in NSW, featuring next-generation control system, advanced communication systems, remote diagnostics and fleet monitoring, enhanced interiors and accessibility, real-time journey updates, connection information and travel guidance.
Passengers can expect to see the first new locally built suburban trains, which will replace the famous Tangaras, operating in the early 2030s followed by the replacement of the Millennium and OSCAR fleets into the 2040s, and the Waratah fleet in the 2050s.
All manufacturers, local or international, will be required to support local manufacturing and jobs in accordance with the Minns Labor Government’s 50 per cent local content for rolling stock contracts.
The Hunter has a history of train manufacturing that dates back before federation. That history ended when the former Liberal government ordered all three of their fleets entirely from overseas.
The government is progressing assessments of the potential locations for the new state-owned train production facility, including a former coal mine at Teralba and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot near where the original Tangara fleet was manufactured. A final decision is expected before years end.
The Future Fleet Program is expected to support up to 780 workers in construction and approximately 550 ongoing jobs in the facility and supply chains.
Transport for NSW has actively engaged with the rail industry leading up to the EOI release, including at events this year in Sydney and Newcastle, to help businesses prepare for upcoming opportunities to reinvigorate local rail manufacturing.
The Government is already building capacity in the train manufacturing workforce in the Hunter with work on the Tangara Life Extension Program underway at the Cardiff rail facility, as well as in Sydney. This employs 100 new qualified workers and 20 apprentices.
The EOI is open until 10 November and is available here.
Premier Chris Minns said:
“For a more than a century highly skilled workers built trains in the Hunter.
“There is a long and proud history of manufacturing trains here, and we’re ensuring that the next generation of Tangaras, Millenium, OSCAR and Waratah trains will be built right here in NSW.
“This EOI is the next step in bringing back hundreds of skilled jobs, boosting our domestic manufacturing capability and keeping billions of dollars in the pockets of workers and businesses right here in NSW.”
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“This is the beginning of 30 years of train building in the Hunter, and the decades of skilled jobs that will come with it.
“The Liberals said we were no good at building trains in NSW. History proves they were wrong, and so will the future.
“Labor is the only party that will bring these jobs back to the Hunter. The Liberals offshored them in the first place and One Nation’s knocking the plan to bring them back.”
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of bringing local manufacturing back to where it belongs, today releasing an Expression of Interest, where we ask manufacturers to show us what they can do.
“We’ve built high-quality trains in the Hunter for decades. We have the workers, we have the skills and we have the industrial capability which is why we’re creating a pipeline of work and securing our standing as a manufacturing powerhouse once again.
“The Liberals said we were no good at building trains and sent the jobs overseas. We’re bringing jobs back to the Hunter and proving them wrong.”
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
“We’ve committed $12 billion to bring train manufacturing back to the Hunter and this is the next big step in making that a reality.
“The Hunter has a proud history of building trains, which is why we are incredibly pleased to be returning it to where it rightly belongs.
“This is not a one-off investment. This is the next chapter of a long-term pipeline of train building in NSW, and giving the next generation of Hunter workers the same opportunity those before them had.”
Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:
“Our Minns Labor Government is re-building domestic manufacturing in NSW and bringing train manufacturing back to the Hunter is a crucial part of our plan.”
“This is an important step in rebuilding our sovereign manufacturing capability. The capability will support local jobs and businesses, and deliver long-term economic benefits for NSW.
“We are committed to leveraging our precious procurement dollars to support local content, local workers, and their communities.”
Transport Deputy Secretary Raquel Rubalcaba said:
“This Expression of Interest is a major milestone in delivering the NSW Government’s commitment to rebuild a sustainable rail manufacturing industry in New South Wales.”
“We are creating a decades-long pipeline of work that will support skilled jobs, strengthen local supply chains and provide certainty for industry to invest in capability and growth.”
“The strong engagement we have seen from industry demonstrates there is real appetite to be part of this transformational program, and we look forward to progressing the next stage of procurement.”
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:
“The first of these new suburban trains are expected to enter service in the early to mid 2030s, providing passengers with a modern fleet that is more reliable, accessible and comfortable.
“Having these trains designed, built and maintained in New South Wales will deliver long-term benefits for passengers and the network. It means we can draw on local expertise, respond more quickly to issues and ensure maintenance and parts support are readily available throughout the life of the fleet.”
“Building trains closer to where they operate creates a stronger connection between manufacturers, maintainers and operators, helping us continuously improve performance and reliability.”
“This program is an investment not only in the trains themselves, but in the capability needed to keep Sydney’s rail network running reliably for decades to come.”
