Back to a rail manufacturing future

The State Government has bought back the Rockhampton railyards from Aurizon in a decisive step towards creating more rail supply chain manufacturing jobs in Central Queensland. Aurizon was originally established in 2004–05 when the coal, bulk, and container transport divisions from Queensland Rail were brought under one banner, as QR National. Formerly a Queensland Government-owned company, it was privatised and floated on the ASX in November 2010. Planning had begun to determine the best use of the railyards for the Rockhampton community, industry and Queensland Rail, said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. “Rail supply chain manufacturing is part of the history of this city,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “We want to bring it back.”“That’s why we’ve bought this site – to create more rail supply chain manufacturing jobs here in Rockhampton to support train manufacturing in Maryborough. "The railyards have been relatively unused for years. It's time to get the area back in action, and back to generating blue collar jobs for Queenslanders.”The final uses of the site would be determined after consultation with industry, said Transport Minister Mark Bailey. "We're already looking at some exciting possibilities for the site, including as a centre of research into hydrogen-powered rail locos and as a major rail supply chain hub,” Mr Bailey said. Transport Minister Mark Bailey "The research into hydrogen-powered trains is particularly exciting. Hydrogen is a clean, green power source and it makes sense to look at it as a potential fuel for our future train fleets. "TMR is working with partners in the tertiary sector to potentially locate a hydrogen research initiative at the railyards. "The precinct will also be a major rail supply chain hub for Australia, with an Expression of Interest to launch in the coming weeks, inviting businesses with a unique opportunity to establish themselves at the railyards. "In addition to the commercial use, later this year we will talk to the local community about how they'd like the site to be activated. "Any revitalisation work done in the precinct will be done with full respect to the history of this area – including the Heritage Listed sections.”“Investing in this facility created opportunities for local businesses in the supply chain, said Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke. "The railyards will be a supply chain source for the government's Queensland Train Manufacturing Program,”: Mr O’Rourke said. "This program is a $7.1 billion investment in Queensland rail manufacturing and Queensland jobs. "It's going to create hundreds of jobs all over Queensland – but particularly here in Rocky." Information on the Rockhampton Railyard Expression of Interest will be released to the public in the coming weeks.

Back to a rail manufacturing future

Industry Queensland

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