Downer signs contract in Maryborough for $4.6 billion rail project

Downer Group has signed a $4.6 billion contract as part of it commitment to deliver 65 trains from a rail factory at Torbanlea.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey and member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders at the signing of the $4.6 billion contract at Downer on Friday.

A $4.6 billion contract was signed by Downer Group in Maryborough on Friday, June 30, as part of the delivery of 65 trains from a factory at Torbanlea.

The state government’s train manufacturing program will create 800 jobs on the Fraser Coast, with the first train to be delivered in 2026, and all 65 on track for 2032.

Downer is now tasked with manufacturing 65 passenger trains at a state-owned purpose-built facility at Torbanlea, where early works are already underway.

Negotiations have been underway since Downer was announced as the preferred supplier for the program earlier this year.

The new trains will be more accessible for people with a disability, with the addition of train boarding bridges and electronic levelling controls to address the gaps between platforms and trains, as well as phone charging capabilities.

“I saw how much this contract means to the men and women of Maryborough when I visited Downer earlier this year – now we can get on with the job of building,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“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,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders, Transport Minister Mark Bailey, Hervey Bay MP Adrian Tantari and Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour turn the sod at the site of the new $239 million Torbanlea train factory with the help of students from Maryborough State High School.

“Because Queensland trains should be made in Queensland.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it wasn’t just about delivering 65 new trains, it was 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,” he said.

“Downer Group has committed to making jobs and training for Queenslanders its priority”.

Maryborough Labor MP Bruce Saunders said he had worked hard to see the commitment made by the government delivered in Maryborough.

“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,” he said.

“Early works are already underway in Torbanlea and in coming weeks they’ll start setting up site compounds, which will get the ball rolling for major construction to begin later this year.

“The first trains will complete manufacturing and commence testing in late 2026, with all 65 trains expected to be in service by 2032.

“These 65 new trains will support south east Queensland’s population boom, as well as Cross River Rail and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

It comes after a committee aiming to develop a national strategy committed to the future of train building in Australia has visited Maryborough earlier this week.