Workforce camp for Torbanlea train factory planned at Susan River Homestead

Hordes of tradies needed to build a multi-billion train factory near Maryborough will come from outside the region, new plans for a FIFO style camp at a high-profile homestead reveal.

A mining-style workforce camp will house almost 200 out-of-town tradies brought in to build the multibillion-dollar Torbanlea train factory if freshly lodged development plans are approved.

The latest revelation about the State Government’s flagship train manufacturing program follows a $2 billion-plus costs blowout and will likely send shockwaves through the Fraser Coast community which has eagerly awaited the flow-on economic benefits from construction on.

In July, the John Holland Group (which was subcontracted by Downer for the build) announced more than 300 direct construction jobs would be created when work began in 2024.

Once operational, the factory will be run by Maryborough-based Downer and help roll out 65 six-car passenger trains for the Queensland rail network, in time for the Brisbane Olympics.

Plans for a worker camp at Susan River Homestead have been lodged with the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Plans lodged with the Fraser Coast Regional Council however, for a 199-bed workforce camp, suggest at least half of these positions will not be filled by those living on the Fraser Coast.

The location of the proposed workforce camp is also not in Torbanlea or within walking distance to any local township, city or business.

Instead, the camp is proposed to be built between Maryborough and Hervey Bay at the Susan River Homestead, a popular adventure resort owned by the family of high-profile horseman Guy McLean.

The documents, submitted to the council on behalf of state the search has been on for two years to find appropriate accommodation amid the region’s housing crisis.

According to the planning documents, 50 modular transportable buildings (dongas) containing up to four single rooms with ensuites would be delivered to the site.

Dongas that can house almost 200 workers will be delivered to Susan River if plans are approved.

The complex would be connected by sheltered walkways and include a gym, centralised kitchen and mess hall, laundry facilities and parking.

Workers would either drive or be bussed from their accommodation at 1946 Maryborough Hervey Bay Rd to the construction site more than 30kms away.

Maryborough MP and Assistant Minister for Trains Bruce Saunders was asked if locals were to be used on the project why there was a need for a workforce camp of this size, how it would benefit businesses in Torbanlea and Maryborough and what his government was doing to ensure local workers and suppliers benefited from the construction and ongoing use of the camp.

The request to his office was forwarded to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The JHG was also asked how many of the 300-plus construction workers it planned to use for the Torbanlea factory build would be sourced locally.

However, a JHG spokesman advised all responses would again come from TMR which said in a statement that while it was “preferred to employ people from the Fraser Coast, the scale of the project and specialist skills required will mean that the workforce is also drawn from a wider area”.

“This will mitigate the negative impact and drain on the local workforce, service delivery to the local community,” the statement read

Sheltered barbecue areas and an onsite kitchen and mess hall are proposed for the workforce camp.

“To avoid putting stress on the local accommodation market, John Holland is investigating the option of using workforce accommodation.

“They intend to lease units within the proposed workforce accommodation village near Susan River, to house workers that need accommodation while they work on the construction of the train manufacturing facility.

“The facility in this application is intended to provide accommodation for projects other than just QTMP.

“This location at Susan River is in convenient proximity to the Torbanlea site, as well as Maryborough and Hervey Bay.”

According to the statement, the village will house approximately 130 train factory workers from early 2024 and the number will increase to approximately 200 workers at peak.

“Private rentals and hotels were considered but ultimately discounted due to availability and concern about the impact on the local housing market and rental prices,” the statement read

“Some workers will opt to rent houses in the nearby area.

“The workforce will still spend time in the local area and inject money into local businesses.

“There will be opportunities for local businesses to contribute to the project, including through the provision of goods and services to the village.”

Susan River Homestead, which according to the plans will lease the land, was contacted for comment and also asked whether the adventure resort business would continue to operate as normal once the workforce camp was up and running but a response was not received.