The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program will provide fleet of 65 six-car Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) to be built in a purpose built facility in Torbanlea, near Maryborough.
The design, contruct and maintain contract comprises:
- design, manufacture and commissioning of 65 six-car passenger trains
- design and construction of two training simulators
- design, construction and commissioning of a purpose-built train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea, in the Fraser Coast region
- design, construction and commissioning of a maintenance facility and stabling yards at Ormeau, in the Gold Coast region, and
- maintenance of the new rollingstock fleet, simulators and the Ormeau maintenance facility for an initial term of 15 years and a maximum term of 35 years.
The Queensland Government made an initial commitment for 20 EMUs with an option for a further 45 six-car EMUs prior to the 2020 Queensland election. The option for the additional 45 trains was exercised in October 2021.
Analysis conducted by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads found that the additional trains will be required over the next 10 years to meet increased demand driven by population growth in South east Queensland and the opening of Cross River Rail. Queensland Rail will operate the rollingstock once delivered.
The procurement process for the project has divided up the project into the manufacturing component and the first 15 years of maintenance - a Design Build Maintain (DBM) contract worth $4.6 billion. Downer was announced as the preferred contractor for this contract in February 2023 and awarded the contract in June 2023.
The additional scope of the project that falls outside of this DBM project will be undertaken by the State and includes:
- Additional stabling roads and test track, and
- A further 20 years of operation and maintenance beyond what is included in the DBM.
Key Dates
| Oct 2020 | Project Announcement |
| Dec 2020 | EOIs Open |
| Feb 2021 | EOIs Close |
| Oct 2021 | Option for additional 45 trains exercised |
| 2023 | Preferred Bidder Selection |
| 2023 | Contract Award |
| 2023 | Construction Commencement |
| 2026 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| Queensland Government |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads |
| Shortlist: | Alstom CAF Downer Rail |
| Successful Tenderer: | Downer Rail |
| Procurement note: | The procurement process for the project has divided up the project into the manufacturing component and the first 15 years of maintenance - a Design Build Maintain (DBM) contract worth $4.6 billion. Downer was announced as the preferred contractor for this contract in February 2023 and awarded the contract in June 2023. The additional scope of the project that falls outside of this DBM project will be undertaken by the State and includes:
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| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Oct 2020 | The project was announced by the Paluszczuk-led Government in the lead-up to the Queensland Election. |
| Dec 2020 | Queensland Government opened Expressions of Interest for the procurement, closing on 10 February 2021. |
| Jun 2021 | The Queensland Government shortlisted three proponents (Alstom, CAF and Downer Rail) for the contract. The 2021-22 Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program also indicated that $357 million of the Queensland Government's $600 million commitment to the project is allocated beyond FY2024-25. |
| Oct 2021 | The Queensland Government exercised the option for an additional 45 EMUs and announced that the manufacturing facility is to be built in Torbanlea, near Maryborough. |
| Jun 2022 | The 2022-23 Queensland Budget allocated $185 million in FY2022-23 for the construction of new rollingstock as part of the program. The Queensland Government also announced the project had been renamed from the Queensland Rollingstock Expansion Program to the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program. |
| Aug 2022 | The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads released a Request for Quote (RFQ) for the appointment of a Rollingstock Technical Manager on the project, closing on 5 September. |
| Feb 2023 | Downer was named as the preferred bidder to deliver the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program. |
| Jun 2023 | Downer Rail is awarded a $4.6 billion contract for the design and build, and the first 15 years of maintenance. The contract does not include additional stabling roads and test track, or the further 20 years of operation and maintenance. |
| Jul 2023 | The total project cost increased to $9.5 billion. This includes the initial $4.6 billion DCM contract and allocations towards the remainder of the project. |
| Nov 2023 | The Queensland Government announced construction had commenced on the new manufacturing facility at Torbanlea, near Maryborough. |
| Feb 2024 | Turner and Townsend were appointed to provide Project Management Office, Advisory, and Cost and Commercial Management services for the project. |
