REGIONAL RAIL FLEET MAINTENANCE FACILITY APPROVED

7 December 2018

The NSW Government has welcomed the planning approval for the new Regional Rail Fleet Maintenance facility at Dubbo, which will deliver an economic boost to the Orana and regional NSW when detailed design and construction starts early next year.

In 2015 Transport for NSW carried out a review of the NSW regional rail network to look at potential locations for the maintenance facility.

The review looked at options on the Western, Southern, North Coast and North Western NSW regional train lines, as well as options within Sydney, but eventually settled on Dubbo as the city, as it is an endpoint for regional rail services, has excellent transport links and a strong industrial base. It is also home to the necessary training and education facilities.

The facility in Dubbo will be home base for new trains when they start to enter services in the early 2020s. The project will stimulate the local economy by creating over 280 jobs and opportunities for local business during the construction and operation stages.

A contractor will be appointed early next year to complete the final design, build, maintain and operate the new facility. They will also develop environmental management and associated plans to show how construction impacts like noise, vibration and traffic management.