The Western Australian Government is supporting advanced manufacturing in the Pilbara with its multimillion-dollar investment into two major rail projects.
Minister Assisting the Minister for State and Industry Development Stephen Dawson said almost $8 million was being invested under the Government’s Local Manufacturing Investment Fund (LMIF).
The funding towards both projects will establish an iron ore railcar manufacturing production line and a centre of excellence in Karratha.
The LMIF is part of the State Government’s 2021 election commitment to support local companies to develop manufacturing opportunities and create more jobs as part of its ongoing Diversify WA program.
Today the Minister officially opened CORE Innovation Hub’s Rail Collaboration Centre (RCC) which will provide a platform to undertake world class testing, research and development in supporting iron ore railcar manufacturing.
“The opening of this new Rail Collaboration Centre in the Pilbara is another major step towards building an exciting new industry specialising in the manufacture of world class iron ore railcars,” Dawson said.
“Our resources sector relies heavily on railcars, and it makes perfect sense to invest in developing a local industry that will manufacture, test and conduct research on delivering a state-of-the-art iron ore railcar.
“Creating and investing in local manufacturing opportunities is a priority for the Cook Government and the LMIF continues to boost our local companies, provide job security and support businesses to maintain a competitive edge in an evolving market.”
The State Government provided CORE with almost $1 million under the LMIF to help boost the design, manufacture, decarbonation and employment training opportunities in WA with the establishment of the new centre in Karratha and hubs located in Newman and Perth.
The centre, which has been established with strong support from Rio Tinto, fills a strategic gap as an innovative and collaborative platform to assess the development of new rolling stock, infrastructure, technology and ideas.
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said he is excited to see that the Pilbara region is advancing with key rail infrastructure projects.
“The new Rail Collaboration Centre by CORE Innovation Hub, supported by nearly $1 million from our Government’s LMIF, will drive cutting-edge research and local manufacturing for iron ore railcars,” he said.
“Additionally, Gemco Rail’s upcoming new facility in Karratha, funded with nearly $7 million from the LMIF, will produce and refurbish railcars, creating jobs and boosting our local economy.
“These initiatives align with the Cook Government’s Diversify WA program, investing in our region’s future and strengthening our manufacturing sector. It’s great to see that the LMIF has invested over $13.5 million in supporting local WA businesses and continues to underscore our commitment to economic growth and job creation in the Pilbara.”
Gemco Rail was awarded almost $7 million under the LMIF to establish an iron ore railcar manufacturing facility in Karratha to manufacture 100 wagons for Rio Tinto as well as repairing and refurbishing key wagon componentry.
The Karratha facility will enable the WA-based company to undertake both the manufacture of iron ore railcar wagons and the refurbishment of rail bearings for Pilbara-based miners.
Since it was established in 2021, the LMIF has awarded more than $13.5 million to several Western Australian companies.
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When will they look to connect the Pilbara lines to the WA SG network or to the NT network to enable intermodal and other rail traffic to access the Pilbara a growing area?