Overview
A new purpose-built facility will be constructed at Torbanlea in the Maryborough region, to manufacture the QTMP which will include:
- workshop and sheds
- train tracks within the facility site
- offices
- car parks for workers and visitors
- site access from the Bruce Highway
- secondary access road from Ritchie Road.
To support the manufacturing of the 65 6-car trains in Torbanlea, the facility will operate
up to 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. This
operational schedule enables the efficient
completion of works on the train bodies, as well
as undertaking safety testing on the internal
commissioning track.
During construction, workers will have access to on-site parking and office facilities, and all materials will be stored within the site boundaries.
Heavy vehicles will use a new access off the Bruce Highway to enter and exit the site. This will help minimise the number of trucks accessing the facility via Ritchie Road. Ritchie Road will be used by workers travelling to site (primarily light vehicles) during the life of the project.
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.
Site construction works are continuing at the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility in 2024.
Consultation now closed
From 4 December 2023 and 2 March 2024, TMR invited the community to view the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility concept design and provide feedback on the following:
- on-site landscaping
- urban design opportunities, such as fencing and facade treatments
- managing and minimising community impacts.
The facility location, rail track design, and site access point were out of scope for feedback, as they relate to site safety, security, and productivity.
TMR would like to thank those community members who participated in the consultation process.
Site layout plan
Proposed concept design layout of the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility site.*
* Concept only – not final design.
Image shows the site layout plan of the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility, which is located 25 kilometres north of Maryborough. 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. A disclaimer is included that reads
"vegetation is only removed within this boundary, where required and as approved under the Environment and Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)".
Artist's impressions
Manufacturing and administration building viewed from the east.*
* Concept only – not final design.
Manufacturing and administration building viewed from the south.*
* Concept only – not final design.
Managing operational impacts
Staff
When the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility is operational, it is anticipated that there will be up to 300 staff working on the site daily. Staff will be a mixture of manufacturing workers, office staff and test drivers. This is in addition to construction jobs that will be created in building the facility.
Staff will be working on a shift roster and will enter and exit site at varying times throughout the day and night. Where possible, deliveries will be made during normal work hours.
Operational noise
Operational noise from the manufacturing facility is anticipated to be minimal, due to its location and use of an acoustic shed. The majority of works will be undertaken in the shed. However, noise may be generated during some activities, including:
- grinding and welding
- reverse squawkers while plant is moving around site
- trains moving along the internal commissioning track and onto the main train network
- vehicles entering and leaving the facility via Ritchie Road, primarily during the peak hours of shift starts and finishes
- some wheel squeal when trains move over curved section of the track
- trains sounding their horns as they move around the site - this is a safety requirement.
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 Torbanlea train manufacturing facility, to ensure worker safety and site security. It is anticipated that lighting will be no brighter than what would be expected in a local park or community space at night.
Lighting will be directed away from residential properties and shrouding will be provided, where appropriate.
Next steps
Go back to the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program consultation homepage.
