Torbanlea rail factory ‘won’t impact’ on Maryborough’s Downer Rail: Bruce Saunders

Fears of job losses, brain drain at 150-year-old Maryborough rail facility in the wake of the Torbanlea announcement have been dismissed as business and political rivals unite to welcome the milestone infrastructure ahead of 2032 Olympics.

A new $239 million train building factory to be built at Torbanlea will have no impact on the future of the Maryborough Downer Rail facility, the city’s MP Bruce Saunders said on Friday.

Concerns were raised about the future of the existing rail factory in the wake of the State Government’s announcement of the $7.1 billion project this week, which will see 65 trains built at the Torbanlea factory ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.

But Mr Saunders said it was business as usual at the Maryborough facility.

“Downer’s got plenty of work, well into 2030,” he said.

When asked if there might be a brain drain from the Maryborough factory to the Torbanlea factory once it was established, he said that was something the State Government couldn’t control.

“That’s up to them, you can’t force people as to where they work,” Mr Saunders said.

Downer was tendering for the contract at the Torbanlea factory, Mr Saunders said, so the company was in the mix to take on building the 65 trains.

But that was separate to the company’s existing work at its Maryborough facility.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Maryborough with the city's MP Bruce Saunders at the train factory announcement.

Mr Saunders said the Maryborough factory was “powering ahead” and currently had positions available.

He said he was proud that the Fraser Coast was part of Queensland’s first infrastructure announcement ahead of the Olympics.

Michael Sharp, Downer Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, said the company welcomed “the Queensland Government’s multi-billion dollar investment in train manufacturing in Queensland and its commitment to building 65 trains in Maryborough”.

“Downer has a proud history of manufacturing trains in Queensland and its Maryborough facility recently celebrated its 150 year anniversary,” he said.

“Downer looks forward to receiving the details for the new tender process next month.”

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt also welcomed the announcement, but said there would need to be infrastructure improvements in the region ahead of the factory opening.

“This announcement is fantastic news for Hervey Bay and Torbanlea and I will always welcome more local jobs,” he said.

“However, Torbanlea will need a significant investment in infrastructure and services for the expected influx of workers and residents in order to maximise the opportunities of a project of this size.

“In 2019, the Federal Government committed millions of dollars to crucial road upgrades as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal – $24 million to flood proof Torbanlea Pialba Road and $10 million to upgrade the Buxton Road intersection on the Bruce Highway – yet under the Queensland State Labor Government, these projects have not yet started.

“If the project at Torbanlea will create 800 jobs, that’s a huge increase of cars on these roads and they must be prioritised as soon as possible.”