New South Wales pledges $12bn to revive Hunter train manufacturing

The New South Wales government announced a $12 billion investment to build a state‑owned train manufacturing facility in the Hunter region. Two sites near Newcastle – the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot and the former Teralba coal mine – are under consideration. The plant will support production of new Tangara, Millennium, OSCAR and Waratah fleets over the coming decades and aims for at least 50 % local content in rolling‑stock contracts.

The first Tangara train has arrived at the Cardiff Maintenance Centre for a life‑extension refurbishment programme, employing around 100 skilled workers and 20 apprentices and extending each train’s service by 10‑15 years. The broader plan is expected to generate up to 780 construction jobs and about 550 permanent roles in the new factory and its supply chain, rebuilding the Hunter’s rail‑manufacturing workforce.