High Speed Rail: New Advanced Manufacturing Facility

Australia’s High Speed Rail project has reached another step in its Development Phase, with the Australian Government beginning the process to develop a proposed Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF) to support the project.

Announced on 23 September, the facility is intended to bring together advanced manufacturing, technology and precision engineering to produce the majority of the construction elements required for the project.

What is the AMF?

The proposed facility would use automation, robotics and precision manufacturing to produce repeatable components in a controlled environment.

According to the High Speed Rail Authority, this approach could help improve quality and consistency, reduce waste, support safer workplaces and provide greater certainty around cost and delivery.

The Authority says the facility could strengthen domestic manufacturing supply chains while developing skills and expertise that can be applied across Australia's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.

Shaping the facility

The Authority has now called for Expressions of Interest from organisations with expertise, experience and proven technology in advanced manufacturing. It is also searching for suitable land near the proposed rail corridor.

This is intended to give industry an opportunity to help determine what the facility could look like and identify practical ways to improve productivity.

As Daniel Powrie, Executive General Manager Program at the High Speed Rail Authority, put it:

“Bring your best technology, your best experience to here in the Hunter region.”

The wider project

The AMF process follows several other milestones reached during the Development Phase.

Three consortia have been shortlisted to help develop approximately 35 kilometres of twin tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah, alongside the proposed Central Coast High Speed Rail Station at Gosford and associated infrastructure.

• Acciona John Holland Joint Venture

• Advance Alliance Joint Venture: Gamuda Engineering, FCC Construction Australia, Samsung C&T Corporation

• GoFar Joint Venture: CPB Contractors, Ferrovial Construction (Australia), VINCI Construction Grands Projets Australia

Three global rail proponents have also been shortlisted to design and develop Australia's first high speed trains and systems, including the trains, depot, operations control centre, and the systems required to integrate, test and commission the railway.

• Alstom/UGL Joint Venture: Alstom Transport Australia, UGL Engineering

• ARC Joint Venture: Siemens Mobility, Siemens Mobility GmbH, Mott MacDonald Australia

• Hitachi Rail STS Australia

The Authority says its Early Contractor Involvement process will help finalise the project's cost, scope, design and approvals before it is ready for construction.

No major tunnelling, construction or train supply contracts will be awarded until the Australian Government completes its decision-making process.