New South Wales launches $12B train manufacturing program

The New South Wales Government has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for manufacturers to design and build the next generation of suburban passenger trains. This move initiates the $12 billion Future Fleet Program, which aims to establish a state-owned train manufacturing facility in the Hunter region.

The program is designed to create a 30-year domestic manufacturing pipeline, potentially supporting up to 780 construction jobs and approximately 550 ongoing positions. To ensure local economic benefits, all manufacturers must adhere to a 50 per cent local content requirement for rolling stock contracts.

Potential sites for the new facility include the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot and a former coal mine at Teralba, with a final decision expected by the end of the year. The new fleet will feature advanced technologies, including remote diagnostics, enhanced accessibility, and next-generation control systems.

The rollout will occur in stages: the first locally built trains are expected to replace the Tangara fleet in the early 2030s, followed by the Millennium and OSCAR fleets in the 2040s, and the Waratah fleet in the 2050s.