The Andrews Labor Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the rail manufacturing industry, with the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) officially opening its doors in Dandenong today.
The Rail Manufacturing CRC will address global competition in the rail industry, improve rail rolling stock and infrastructure, develop rail technologies and manufacturing processes and refine national standards to create opportunities.
In particular, the Rail Manufacturing CRC will foster, sponsor and direct collaborative research and commercialisation partnerships between key rail industry manufacturing stakeholders. The CRC will also collaborate with industry peak bodies and federal and state governments.
The Labor Government is committed to ensuring a strong and sustainable future for the state’s rail manufacturing sector through a number of measures.
The Government’s $2 billion Rolling Stock Strategy: Trains, Trams and Jobs 2015-25 will help to establish a pipeline of upcoming projects for rolling stock, new infrastructure and improving capacity across the network. This plan will support thousands of local jobs in Victoria’s train and tram building industry, which employs up to 10,000 Victorians.
Through the Victorian Industry Participation Policy, the government has also established a 50 per cent minimum local content target for new High Capacity Metro Trains and a requirement to use 100 per cent local steel on the Level Crossing Removal Projects.
The government is also investing in key sectors, such as transport, that are set to drive the state’s future economic growth as part of the $200 million Future Industries Fund.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio
“We are working hard to support the sustainability of the local rail manufacturing industry.”
“Through our Rolling Stock Strategy and the Victorian Industry Participation Policy, we will provide new opportunities for Victorian apprentices and workers to build skills and capability.”
“The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre in Dandenong will assist the Australian rail industry and its stakeholders to foster innovation in order to better meet the challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020