Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visits to turn sod on train factory

A $239 million train factory and the 800 jobs it will generate will transform the tiny township where it will be built over the next 18 months.

The sod was turned on Thursday on a $239 million factory that will generate 800 jobs on the Fraser Coast and transform the township of Torbanlea.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders and Transport Minister Mark Bailey were joined by Hervey Bay MP Adrian Tantari and Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour at the 120ha site on Ritchie Rd at Torbanlea for the official sod turning.

The project was announced in October 2021, as part of the State Government’s $7.1 billion plan to boost Queensland’s train manufacturing industry and build and operate 65 trains.

As well as helping to bring the Maryborough region back to its roots as a manufacturing powerhouse, Ms Palaszczuk pointed out the benefits the project would have for local workers and businesses.
She said early work would begin this year with major work at the site to be completed in 2023.

“I’m quite sure the local publican down the road is going to be pretty excited, because he’s going to be very, very busy for many, many years to come,” 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.

Students from Maryborough State High School were also on hand for the event.

Ms Palaszczuk said the future was looking bright for students of the region, whose schools would help them build the skills they needed to find jobs.

Mr Saunders said it was a historic day and the start of a new chapter in the region’s manufacturing history.

“Right here in Torbanlea is where 65 new passenger trains will be built before they carry millions of customers each year across the South East Queensland train network, and support the transportation task for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Construction of the new trains would add to a long history in train manufacturing with the first Queensland Rail contract awarded to build trains in Maryborough in 1896.

“It’s an honour to mark the start of works here, with early works and site preparations to be carried over the coming months.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the preferred proponent would be announced later this year and would be tasked with training and upskilling the local engineering and manufacturing workforce, which would include work with local Fraser Coast high schools.

“The Palaszczuk Government has developed a clear understanding of the skills required to support this manufacturing program over the next 10 to 15 years,” Mr Bailey 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.

“We’ll be working with the successful provider and the local education system so that a skilled homegrown workforce can benefit from the jobs available before we need to be moving workforce into the region.”

Also during the Premier’s visit, the group travelled to the new, higher two-lane bridge on the Bruce Highway at Saltwater Creek near Aldershot.

Ms Palaszczuk said the new bridge formed part of broader flood resilience upgrades being delivered along the Bruce Highway between Maryborough and Torbanlea, including a new bridge at Deadmans Gully which opened in July 2022.

“This $103 million package of works along an 11-kilometre stretch of the Bruce is making it safer and flood resilient for motorists,” she said.

“Heavy rainfall and localised flooding during weather events can often result in highway closures along this stretch.

“In 2013, the flood event caused by ex-Cyclone Oswald closed the Bruce here at Saltwater Creek for more than 30 hours.

“It great to see the upgraded Saltwater Creek Bridge now open to traffic and important work continuing on upgrading the remaining four floodways, as well as nearby strengthening works on the Bruce Highway, which are expected to be completed later this year.”