Construction of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program’s facility at Torbanlea behind schedule

Construction of the new trains for the Cross River Rail is months behind schedule and could have impacted the network had it not been pushed back by the LNP, sources have revealed.

Cross River Rail site opposite the Gabba. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Service reductions could have plagued the planned opening of Cross River Rail with the factory responsible for building new trains for the network also facing delays.

The Courier-Mail can reveal construction of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program’s facility at Torbanlea, between Hervey Bay and Maryborough, is behind schedule due to inclement weather.

A government source revealed it was due to piece together the first of 65 trains from December this year, but the start of manufacturing could now be delayed until this month.

Had the opening date of Cross River Rail not been pushed back from 2026 until 2029, the expanded network could have experienced a shortage of trains, the source said.

However, Acting Manufacturing Minister Tony Perrett said workers were optimistic delays to the start of construction on the Fraser Coast workshop could be made up to ensure train manufacturing timelines were not affected.

The LNP’s Tony Perrett. Picture: John Gass

Mr Perrett said the government was “saving the Queensland Train Manufacturing program” following cost increases under the former Labor government.

“Queenslanders haven’t forgotten Labor’s $2.4bn secret blowout and major delays which left Cross River Rail without the trains needed for the rail opening,” he said.

“It was one of the major projects which revealed why Queenslanders can’t trust Labor, given they deliberately covered-up their failures for so long.

“The Crisafulli Government’s focus is getting the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program back on track.”

Opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish argued the state government would preside over further delays.

“Their juiced-up delay to Cross River Rail, which no one believes is worth the paper it’s written on, can’t be used to let the contractors off the hook when it comes to the train manufacturing program,” he said.

“This government has got the reins now, they can’t keep blaming the previous government.”

Opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish. Picture: John Gass

The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program was first forecast to cost $7.1bn, but increased to $9.5bn.

It includes the construction of 65 six-car passenger trains to progressively roll out on the network in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The $9.5bn includes a new purpose-built manufacturing facility at Torbanlea for major manufacturing and assembly works and a new facility at Ormeau for the ongoing operation and maintenance.

Mr Mellish said the new trains would boost capacity on the network and noted Cross River Rail was not a not a new line, but a new segment of the current rail network.