The New South Wales and Federal Governments have joined forces to hold a roundtable on the future of rail manufacturing, which is set to see more than 100 key representatives from Australia’s rail manufacturing industry in attendance.
An initiative of the New South Wales and Federal Governments, it’s another step in the process of mapping out a plan to restore and strengthen the rail industry in New South Wales and across Australia.
The roundtable will feature a wide range of representatives, including rolling stock manufacturers, small- and medium-sized businesses, and unions involved in the wider rail manufacturing supply chain.
It will also involve academics, companies involved in research and development, and transport and infrastructure department representatives from State and Federal Governments.
The New South Wales Government will use the roundtable as an opportunity to hear directly from the rail manufacturing industry about what is working, while also discussing barriers to further industry investment.
The New South Wales Government said it supports the development of a nationally-coordinated approach to rail manufacturing, supporting the development of a sustainable, ongoing work-stream for industry.
It also said it will work with the Federal Government, industry and other states to see where projects can be developed in the national interest, welcoming national coordination and the leadership of the Federal Government.
New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, said, “This is a critical first step on the path to our commitment to build the next generation of trains that replace the Tangaras here in New South Wales.
“The only way we can rebuild our New South Wales rail manufacturing industry in a sustainable way is if we work with the Federal Government on a coordinated, national approach.
“We make some of the best trains in the world. This important work will give our companies and workers the best chance to compete with their overseas rivals.
“I want to thank Assistant Minister Tim Ayres and the Federal Government. This is a really good start,” Premier Minns said.
Assistant Federal Minister for Manufacturing, Tim Ayres, said, “We want trains and rollingstock that are built and designed in Australia for Australian conditions.
“After countless bungles under the previous state government, New South Wales is now heading in the right direction. I commend the New South Wales Government for its commitment to build the next generation of trains locally.
“The National Rail Manufacturing Plan is the key component of the government’s plan to see more trains built and designed by Aussies.
“Our plan will ensure the sector is better placed to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities in rail procurement by driving a more nationally coordinated approach to rail manufacturing, to provide the certainty industry needs to invest in Australia,” Mr Ayres said.
New South Wales Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen, said, “After 12 years of a Liberal government that abandoned manufacturing in New South Wales, it’s critical that the industry has confidence. We are serious about repairing the damage they did. Bringing the industry together like today sends that message loud and clear.
“And just as importantly, it lets us hear directly from the industry and their supply chains about what’s working, as well as the barriers to further industry investment.
“Those insights will directly influence how we will approach the procurement of trains in New South Wales,” Ms Haylen said.
