The McGowan Labor Government is taking the next step to being more self-sufficient and bring more local manufacturing back to Western Australia, as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
Building on the successful METRONET Railcar Manufacturing and Assembly facility, currently under construction in Bellevue, the McGowan Government will now invest an additional $40.1 million to build a new diesel railcar maintenance facility as well.
The diesel facility will be situated at the site of the new world-class Bellevue facility, where the new 246 C-Series railcars will soon be manufactured, tested and maintained for decades to come.
Underpinned by the McGowan Government’s $1.3 billion METRONET railcar program, a contract to build the diesel facility will be awarded next year.
The centre will provide maintenance and cleaning facilities for the new Australind, the existing Prospector and AvonLink railcars, as well as the high-tech new Infrastructure Diagnostic Vehicle and PTA’s locomotive U201, which provides track maintenance and rail shunting services across the network.
Stage one of the new Bellevue railcar facility is on track for completion later this year.
This year alone the McGowan Government has seven METRONET projects underway, supporting and creating local jobs while providing opportunities for local businesses.
To further boost local manufacturing opportunities in WA and create local jobs, the McGowan Government will form an action group to investigate the viability of manufacturing and maintaining iron ore railcar wagons in the Pilbara or other parts of WA.
It is expected the study will support initiatives that create long-term competitiveness of the steel fabrication industry in WA in supplying the iron ore sector to support jobs into the future, and explore maintenance opportunities linked to both new and existing ore wagon stock.
A report from the study is anticipated to be completed later this year.
Another key local manufacturing initiative – as part of the $92.4 million package – is $13.2 million in project funding to attract a global cathode active materials manufacturer to establish a production facility in WA.
The cathode active manufacturing initiative includes incentives to offset project costs, such as land lease rates on industrial land to help businesses establish and keep local jobs in WA.
This will strengthen WA’s position as a world leader in future battery minerals, materials, technology and expertise in global battery supply chains – and supports the implementation of the Western Australian Future Battery Industry Strategy.
Other initiatives part of the local manufacturing boost include:
- $600,000 to assess viability of a Collie Eco-Concrete Processing Plant which will analyse the benefits of Collie based concrete manufacturing using waste fly-ash from coal powered stations instead of imported cement;
- $15 million towards developing waste paper and cardboard processing capacity to support the COAG Waste Export Ban; and
- $20 million in grants and industrial land to support the development of local waste processing capabilities and to implement the COAG Waste Export Ban.
These initiatives complement a $3.5 million investment, already announced, in Local Capability Fund rounds to boost local manufacture of personal protective equipment (PPE) for Australia’s COVID response.
More information is available at inthistogether.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Boosting local manufacturing to create a pipeline of WA jobs, will help our State become more self-sufficient and rebound from COVID-19 stronger than ever.
“WA is primed to join the supply chain of major industries and sectors like renewable energy, conservation, mining and construction. This package is about giving local businesses confidence to establish themselves, make local products and keep jobs here in WA.
“Boosting our manufacturing industry means more local jobs, more training and more apprenticeship opportunities for Western Australians for generations to come.
“One of my Government’s key election commitments was to return railcar manufacturing back to the Midland area.
“We’re delivering on this and now we’re doing what we can to ensure we’re removing interruptions in supply chains and allowing local businesses to take advantage of the great manufacturing opportunities in our State.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The Bellevue plant is where Western Australia’s biggest ever order of railcars will be built, tested and maintained for decades to come.
“Around 250 railcars will be produced at Bellevue over the next decade, while it will also serve as a permanent maintenance facility for the expanded METRONET fleet.
“This new $40 million diesel maintenance facility will be a new key element to the services provided at Bellevue and will provide local job and training opportunities for local Western Australians.
“The first stage of the Bellevue facility will be completed later this year with the first lot of new C-Series trains rolling out in late 2022.”
