Torbanlea manufacturing facility

A new facility is being constructed in the Fraser Coast region, to manufacture the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program fleet.

The Torbanlea manufacturing facility will strengthen the region's historical link to train manufacturing and create local employment, training, and supply chain opportunities.

Benefits

  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth

Key features

The Torbanlea train manufacturing facility will include:

  • workshop and sheds
  • train tracks within the facility site
  • offices
  • car parks for workers and visitors
  • site access from the Bruce Highway
  • a secondary access from Ritchie Road.

The 130-hectare site in Torbanlea was selected was selected for its proximity to the existing rail line and Bruce Highway, relatively flat landscape, property size and proximity to local goods and services.

For more information about the train manufacturing facility design download the:

Torbanlea manufacturing facility video as of August 2024

Drone video showing progress on site at Torbanlea as of August 2024. It shows site works continuing including earthworks and the construction of internal haul roads.
Video Transcript
Aerial view of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program facility in Torbanlea.

Torbanlea train manufacturing facility concept design

Torbanlea rail facility concept design

Legend

  1. Train manufacturing facility main site entrance from the Bruce Highway
  2. Gatehouse
  3. Water tanks
  4. Car parking area for workers and visitors
  5. Office space
  6. Manufacturing main building with a floor plan size of 30,650m2
  7. Train commissioning track
  8. Rail connection to the North Coast line.

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 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 activities are continuing throughout 2024.

Feedback on the concept design for the train manufacturing facility is now available.

We are committed to working with the community, including residents and businesses during the construction and operation of the train manufacturing facility.

Train manufacturing facility timeline

  • Early 2024: Site establishment works scheduled to be completed.
    Ritchie Road upgrade scheduled to be completed.
  • Mid 2024: Major construction of the train manufacturing facility scheduled to commence.
    Brue Highway site access works scheduled to be completed.
  • Late 2025: Major construction of the train manufacturing facility scheduled to be completed.
    Works to connect the train manufacturing facility to the North Coast rail line scheduled to be completed.
    Train manufacturing scheduled to commence.
  • Late 2026: The first train is anticipated to be manufactured and begin testing.
  • Early 2032: Manufacturing of 65 six-car trains is scheduled to be completed.

Dates are weather dependent and indicative only.

Torbanlea train manufacturing facility site layout map

Manufacturing facility site works will be undertaken on a section of the site along the south-eastern border. Within the works area on site, a temporary car park will be located in the north-eastern corner and site offices will be located behind them. Fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the site. Vegetation clearing works will be undertaken from the site entrance at Ritchie Road along the South Eastern boarder of the site. The Bruce Highway works will be located at the eastern border of the manufacturing facility site which adjoins the Bruce Highway.

Map of Torbanlea, located 25km north of Maryborough. The map displays the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility site and layout. The site footprint's most northern point begins at the end of Ritchie Road and extends west to the Bruce Highway. The North Coast rail line runs along the eastern border of the site.

The layout plan calls out to the manufacturing facility, office space, car parking, a commissioning track and future rail line tracks which connect to the North Coast rail line. The main access to the site is off the Bruce Highway, and there is a secondary access for light vehicles at the end of Ritchie Road, both access points connect to the manufacturing facility main building with internal roads.

The site layout plan design is concept only and is not to scale. Vegetation is only removed within this boundary, where required and as approved under the Environment and Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Manufacturing facility operations

To support the manufacturing of the 65 six-car trains in Torbanlea, the facility will operate up to 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Staff

When operational, the facility expects up to 300 staff on site daily, including manufacturing workers, office staff and test drivers. This is in addition to construction jobs that will be created in building the facility.

Staff will follow shift rosters, entering and exiting throughout the day and night. Where possible, deliveries will be made during normal work hours.

Operational noise

Operational noise from the facility is anticipated to be minimal, due to its location and the 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 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.