Government Buys Back Rockhampton Rail Yards

Iconic Queensland rail yards could be used to develop hydrogen-powered trains after the state government’s buy-back of the site from ASX-listed freight rail company Aurizon.

The Queensland government has completed the acquisition of the 21ha Rockhampton rail workshop site, which was sold by the Bligh government in 2010.

Aurizon purchased the site after it was floated by the state government, but closed it in 2017.

It was part of a 2020 election commitment to re-establish the site as part of the supply chain for rail manufacturing.

But transport minister Mark Bailey said the rail yards could also become a hub for research into hydrogen-powered trains as well as rail manufacturing and community activation.  

“We're already looking at some exciting possibilities for the site, including as a centre of research into hydrogen-powered rail locos and as a major rail supply chain hub,” he said.

“The research into hydrogen-powered trains is particularly exciting. Hydrogen is a clean, green power source and it makes sense to look at it as a potential fuel for our future train fleets.

“TMR is working with partners in the tertiary sector to potentially locate a hydrogen research initiative at the rail yards.

“The precinct will also be a major rail supply chain hub for Australia, with an expressions of interest to launch in the coming weeks.”

Bailey said they would be consulting with the community about what they would like to see on the site.

“Any revitalisation work done in the precinct will be done with full respect to the history of this area—including the Heritage Listed sections.”

▲ Aurizon closed the rail yards in 2017.

Information on the Rockhampton rail yard expressions of interest campaign will be made public in coming weeks.

Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk said the rail yards would be brought back to life.

“Rail supply chain manufacturing is part of the history of this city. We want to bring it back,” she said.

“That’s why we’ve bought this site—to create more rail supply chain manufacturing jobs here in Rockhampton to support train manufacturing in Maryborough.”