A $92.4 million suite of initiatives will activate new industries and create a pipeline of local jobs.
Building on the METRONET Railcar Manufacturing and Assembly facility currently under construction in Bellevue, an additional $40.1 million will be invested to build a new diesel railcar maintenance facility.
The diesel facility will be situated at the site of the new world-class Bellevue facility, where the new 246 C-Series railcars will soon be manufactured, tested and maintained for decades to come.
A contract to build the diesel facility will be awarded next year.
The centre will provide maintenance and cleaning facilities for the new Australind, the existing Prospector and AvonLink railcars, as well as the high-tech new Infrastructure Diagnostic Vehicle and PTA’s locomotive U201, which provides track maintenance and rail shunting services across the network.
Stage one of the new Bellevue railcar facility is on track for completion later this year.
As part of the package, an action group will be formed to investigate the viability of manufacturing and maintaining iron ore railcar wagons in the Pilbara or other parts of WA. The study will support initiatives that create long-term competitiveness of the steel fabrication industry in WA and explore maintenance opportunities linked to both new and existing ore wagon stock.
A report from the study is expected to completed later this year.
Another key initiative of the $92.4 million package is $13.2 million in project funding to attract a global cathode active materials manufacturer to establish a production facility in WA. The funding will include incentives to offset project costs, such as land lease rates.
This will strengthen WA’s position in future battery minerals, materials, technology and expertise in global battery supply chains.
Other initiatives as part of the local manufacturing boost include:
- $600,000 to assess viability of a Collie Eco-Concrete Processing Plant
- $15 million towards developing waste paper and cardboard processing capacity to support the COAG Waste Export Bin
- $20 million in grants and industrial land to support development of local waste processing capabilities and implement the COAG Waste Export Ban.
These initiatives complement the already announced $3.5 million investment in Local Capability Fund rounds to boost local manufacturing of personal protective equipment.
For more information:
- visit WA Recovery Plan Initiatives
- see the following media statements:
