Ormeau rail facility
A rail facility is being constructed on a 66ha site in the Gold Coast region.
The new rail facility will cater for the expanding passenger train fleet. The 65 Queensland Train Manufacturing Program trains will be maintained and stabled at the Ormeau rail facility.
Benefits
- Increases capacity
- Improves network efficiency
- Contributes to economy
- Contributes to regional growth
Key features
The Ormeau rail facility will be used for train maintenance and stabling and will include:
- acoustic-proofed workshops
- office facilities
- internal access roads
- internal train tracks
- a train wash
- stabling tracks with capacity to house a maximum of 20 trains at any given time.
The 66-hectare site in Ormeau was selected for its proximity to the existing rail line and Pacific Motorway, relatively flat landscape, sufficient space for constructing the facility, including internal stabling tracks, and length, which is required for the safe movement of trains.
For more information about the rail facility design download the:
- Ormeau rail facility concept design newsletter—December 2023
- Ormeau rail facility concept design newsletter—August 2024.
Ormeau rail facility video as of May 2024
Drone video showing progress on site at Ormeau as of May 2024. It shows site works continuing including earthworks and the construction of internal haul roads.Ormeau rail facility concept design
Artist impression of Ormeau rail facility, as an aerial view — concept only, not final design.
Legend
- Northern rail connection to Gold Coast line
- Train wash facility
- Staff facilities
- Maintenance facility with a floor plan size of 23,000m2, including acoustic proofed workshops and administration office
- Train stabling yard with capacity to house up to 20 six-car trains when they are not in operation
- Staff car parking area
- Gatehouse
- Southern rail connection to Gold Coast line
- Rail facility permanent entrance from Goldmine Road
During construction, workers will have access to on-site parking and office facilities. All materials will be stored within the site boundaries.
The project is committed to ensuring that the facility operates in an environmentally sustainable manner and includes initiatives such as solar panels, on-site water treatment, and rainwater re-use to reduce the project's carbon footprint.
Current status
Construction works are continuing in 2024. Construction is expected to be completed in line with the delivery of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program trains.
Agreement has been reached with the City of Gold Coast to jointly upgrade a section of Goldmine Road. The design of the Goldmine Road upgrade including the rail facility entrance is in the early stages with construction scheduled to commence in late 2025.
Feedback on the concept design for the rail facility is now available.
We are committed to working with the community, including residents and businesses during the construction and operation of the rail facility.
Rail facility timeline
- Early 2024: Site establishment works scheduled to be completed. Construction of the temporary access road connecting Prairie Road to the rail facility site scheduled to be completed.
- Mid 2024: Construction of the maintenance facility scheduled to commence.
- Late 2024: Construction of the stabling yard scheduled to commence.
- Mid 2026: Construction of the stabling yard scheduled to be completed.
- Late 2026: Construction of the maintenance facility scheduled to be completed.
First train scheduled to arrive at the rail facility.
Dates are weather dependent and indicative only.
Ormeau rail facility site layout map
The permanent rail facility access is off Goldmine Road, with internal roads connecting the access point to the facilities. The layout plan calls out to the maintenance facility main building, including the administration office, 2 car parking areas, a train wash facility, staff facilities and a stabling yard. The rail facility site connects to the Gold Coast Main Line with future rail line tracks at the northern and southern ends of the site.
The site layout plan design is concept only and is not to scale.
Goldmine Road upgrade
Agreement has been reached with the City of Gold Coast to jointly upgrade a section of Goldmine Road.
The City of Gold Coast is funding the design and construction of the Goldmine Road upgrade. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will deliver this upgrade. TMR is funding the design and construction of the rail facility entrance (including intersection) on Goldmine Road.
The upgrade will include constructing the permanent rail facility entrance, which is located on Goldmine Road. This upgrade responds to community feedback about the rail facility and its impact on Goldmine Road when the facility is being used for train maintenance and stabling.
It will tie-into Council’s upgrade of the Lahrs Road and Goldmine Road intersection, which is scheduled to start in September 2024.
The concept design for the Goldmine Road upgrade includes:
- widening the existing lanes adjacent to the City of Gold Coast's upgrade at Lahrs Road
- laying new asphalt to replace the existing surface
- improving flood immunity including installing kerb and channel and new drainage
- installing off-road shared user paths to improve active transport outcomes
- creating a new intersection for the rail facility entrance, with dedicated turning lanes into the rail facility to keep through traffic moving
- installing dedicated pedestrian crossings at the rail facility entrance to improve safety.
Site investigations to inform the design of the Goldmine Road upgrade including rail facility entrance will continue this month.
Traffic assessments are underway to inform the rail facility entrance design, including whether the entrance will be signalised.
The design of the Goldmine Road upgrade including the rail facility entrance is in the early stages with construction scheduled to commence in late 2025.
Goldmine Road upgrade overview
Rail facility operations
The rail facility in Ormeau will operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to support the maintenance and stabling of 65 new six-car QTMP trains.
Site access
The permanent access to the Ormeau rail facility will be via Goldmine Road. The rail facility will connect to Goldmine Road via a new private access road – this will be the permanent and only access to the rail facility site once the facility is operational. The design of the access is underway and will include measures to minimise the impact on Goldmine Road traffic. There will not be an access off Prairie Road during operations.
The majority of vehicles accessing the site during operations will be light vehicles. Heavy vehicles will access the site for deliveries on an as required basis.
Staff
When operational, the facility will have up to 140 staff working daily across varying shift times, including maintenance workers, office staff, and train drivers. Staff will use Goldmine Road to enter and exit site.
Train movements
Trains will arrive and depart from the facility during the day and night, with increased movements during standard AM and PM peak periods.
The train peaks align with the Queensland Rail passenger timetable, with the morning peak being 3am to 9am and the afternoon peak being between 2.30pm to 5pm.
During nights and weekends, workers and support staff at the rail facility will be required to ensure that noise does not exceed the approved operational limits.
Operational noise
Operational noise from the rail facility is anticipated to be minimal, due to its location and majority of works being undertaken in the acoustic shed. However, some activities may generate higher levels of noise.
The project is required to undertake pre and post construction noise modelling, to ensure that the project is adhering to the Environmental Protection Act 1994. As part of this commitment, the project will undertake additional noise monitoring once the site is operational, to ensure impacts to the local community are minimised.
Lighting
Lighting will be required around the clock at the Ormeau rail facility, to ensure worker safety and site security.
Lighting is required 24/7 at the train manufacturing facility 24 for worker safety and site security. We anticipate that the brightness will be similar to a local park or community space at night. We will direct lighting away from residential areas and provide shrouding, where appropriate.
