Downer celebrates 150 years of manufacturing in Maryborough

06/12/2019

The Premier of Queensland, the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, today joined Downer employees, industry leaders and government representatives to celebrate 150 years of manufacturing in Maryborough.

The ceremony recognised the hardworking Queenslanders who have contributed to Downer’s proud history, building countless trains, sugar mills and ships for customers across Australia.

“Downer’s motto is ‘Relationships creating success’ and that rings especially true in Maryborough,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“For more than a century, Downer’s workshop has been at the very heart of this historic Queensland city, supporting businesses and sustaining livelihoods.

“Since the first Queensland Government contract was awarded back in 1896, the workshop has designed and built our long-haul tilt trains, delivered hundreds of units for our suburban and interurban rail network, and soon, will perform essential accessibility upgrades on 75 New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains as part of an $85 million rectification contract.

“Congratulations to Downer and its employees past and present on 150 years of manufacturing excellence in Maryborough.”

The future looks bright for the Maryborough factory, with Downer also signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Queensland Rail to develop a new strategic partnership agreement.

Already long-term partners in the supply and overhaul of rollingstock for Queensland’s network, the ten-year agreement will see closer collaboration, increased regional investment and better outcomes for Queensland’s rail passengers.

Tim Young, Executive General Manager for Downer’s Rollingstock Services, said the partnership will help secure the future of manufacturing in regional Queensland and cement Downer’s longer-term relationship with a key customer.

“We’re proud to today be celebrating the 150-year milestone of our operations in Maryborough. For many years, this facility has been recognised as a leading manufacturer of rollingstock, supplying more than 900 rail cars and 1,000 locomotives to customers around Australia.

“With a strong pipeline of work for our factory, and the signing of this MOU with Queensland Rail, we hope to see this facility evolve and grow, enhancing our ongoing commitment to the Fraser Coast region.”

Queensland Rail’s CEO Nick Easy said Queensland Rail was proud to continue its longstanding partnership with Downer’s Maryborough facility, and was looking forward to developing a new, 10-year agreement with Downer.

“This agreement will offer a range of improvements for Queensland Rail’s rollingstock maintenance program, including better collaboration, planning and value for money outcomes,” Mr Easy said.

“Like Queensland Rail, Downer has played a pivotal role in Queensland’s rail industry, being the original manufacturer of both Queensland Rail’s suburban and long-distance trains for many years.

“We’re pleased to continue our important partnership with Downer through this long-term agreement, which will not only improve the implementation of Queensland Rail’s maintenance pipeline but will also provide certainty of work here in Maryborough, he said.”