Meeting the increasing demand for rail transport in South-East Queensland
KEY INFORMATION
Location: South-East Queensland, Australia
Date started: 2020
Completion date: ongoing
Client type: infrastructure
Main capabilities: controls and performance, cost and commercial management, digital, programme advisory
Meeting the growing demand for rail
The Queensland Government is making a significant investment in the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) to meet the growing demand for rail transport in South-East Queensland over the next decade.
The Program is being delivered across the state, requiring a coordinated approach across multiple locations. 65 new, six-car passenger trains will be manufactured at a purpose-built train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea in the Fraser Coast region of Queensland while the fleet will be stabled and maintained at a new rail facility which will be constructed at Ormeau in the Gold Coast region.
We were appointed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in 2020 to work as part of an integrated multi-disciplinary project team to prepare the business case to support the final investment decision. Following an open market tender process in late 2023, we were appointed to continue our services for QTMP as the Program Management Office (PMO) provider.
Construction of the manufacturing and rail facilities commenced in late 2023, and all 65 trains are expected to be in service by 2032.
An integrated and holistic approach
Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, we supported QTMP in the readiness for market phase and were responsible for cost estimating and scheduling.
Taking an integrated and holistic approach to both cost and schedule, we worked collaboratively with TMR’s team of technical advisors to facilitate the options assessment where we provided analysis and refinement through timely advice based on time, costs, risks and opportunities.
We provided detailed risk adjusted cost estimates and schedules for the full scope of the program. Ensuring appropriate risk contingencies were captured early on was key to assessing progress through the early stages of construction, which is now underway.
A key focus of our PMO commission involves the development of cost reporting dashboards that are customisable for various levels of reporting to facilitate change management and decision-making.
Supporter of major programmes
A significant project for the state, QTMP will improve network efficiency, increase capacity and stimulate economic and regional growth. Along with other major programmes, like Cross River Rail, the QTMP will support the increased passenger transport demand leading up to and including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is expected to bring in 110,000 visitors and competitors.
The construction of the facilities and rollingstock, as well as ongoing fleet maintenance, will deliver significant economic benefits to the Fraser Coast Region, generating approximately 800 construction and manufacturing jobs and creating a long-term, sustainable pipeline of training and development opportunities.
Pete Gill, Program Director, Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, said:
“Having Turner & Townsend as our PMO advisor has given us visibility and awareness of critical programme issues. This has enabled us to direct management attention and resources to where it will deliver the most benefit.”
The monitoring and control processes established by the Turner & Townsend team gives us true line-of-sight to our construction contractors’ progress and performance.
“Our suite of management plans and procedure guides, developed by the Turner & Townsend team, give us assurance that our project leadership responsibilities are met and confidence that we will have a consistent approach to programme management throughout delivery of the QTMP.”
