A plan to boost the domestic rail manufacturing sector will help avoid project cost blowouts as NSW moves toward replacing its ageing fleet of Tangara trains.
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Premier Chris Minns announced a meeting of more than 100 rail manufacturing industry representatives on Monday, as part of an election pledge to remedy years of problems with foreign-built trains, trams and ferries.
There was a decade of evidence that the state budget was not protected by buying transport infrastructure offshore, he said.
"We saw massive blowouts from everything from the ferry system to the light rail network to the intercity fleet either over budget or overtime," he told reporters.
"We want to back Australian made and buy Australian made."
The roundtable was "a critical first step on the path to our commitment to build the next generation of trains that replace the Tangaras", Mr Minns added.
The Tangara fleet, which began operating in the late 1980s, has already had its life extended by ten years and is due to be retired by 2027.
The roundtable will include rollingstock manufacturers as well as businesses and unions involved in the rail manufacturing supply chain.
It will also involve academics, research and development companies, along with transport and infrastructure department representatives from across Australia.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said rail manufacturing in NSW was abandoned during the previous 12 years of coalition government.
"It's critical that the industry has confidence we are serious about repairing the damage they did," Ms Haylen said.
"Bringing the industry together like today sends that message loud and clear."
Federal Assistant Manufacturing Minister Tim Ayres said Australians wanted trains and rollingstock built and designed in Australia.
"After countless bungles under the previous state government, NSW is now heading in the right direction," he said.
Australian Associated Press
