Media Release
Construction of the $60 million Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions (RNM) shell forging and manufacturing facility in Maryborough is now underway with early works having commenced on-site.
Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick said that while some businesses have had to suspend activities due to COVID-19, this significant milestone was great news for the Maryborough community.
“This facility is expected to create around 100 long term advanced manufacturing jobs once the projectile forging plant commences full production in 2022, up to 90 jobs on-site when the 14-month construction phase hits its peak, and additional jobs through the local supply chain,” Mr Dick said.
“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to assist projects like this that will create construction and supply chain jobs right now, and long-term manufacturing jobs into the future.
“Through $7.5 million from the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund to attract the facility to Maryborough, and an additional $9 million to upgrade the energy supply and to assist with the facility’s complex electricity connections, the Queensland Government is whole-heartedly supporting industrial growth in the Wide Bay Burnett region.”
RNM’s state-of the-art manufacturing facility will produce 30,000 155-millimetre artillery shell cases annually for both the Australian Defence Force and Rheinmetall’s international supply chain of allied nations.
NIOA Chief Executive Officer and RNM Director Robert Nioa said the Australian Defence Force (ADF) currently imports artillery shell cases from overseas for use by the Australian Army in training and military combat.
“Production from the Maryborough facility will be available to replace imported munitions and will supplement Rheinmetall’s existing munitions manufacturing base to meet demand from customers overseas,” Mr Nioa said.
“Critically, the forging and manufacturing facility can ensure that future munition supplies to the ADF will be Australian-made and create Australian Industry Capability for current and future munitions programs.”
BADGE Constructions was recently announced as the successful tenderer to build the facility on a four-hectare site in the Moonaboola Industrial Estate in Maryborough.
Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said BADGE Constructions expects approximately 70 per cent of the project’s trade packages would be awarded to local sub-contractors and suppliers.
“The facility’s office will be constructed using locally grown timbers sourced from another Maryborough business, Hyne Timber, in a move that will also reduce the project’s carbon footprint,” Mr Saunders said.
“Certainly, a project of this calibre will have an enormous effect in providing a long-term, sustainable boost to the local economy, and it’s heartening to see a joint venture like RNM demonstrate its commitment to regional Queensland.”
The Australian Government is also supporting the RNM facility through its Regional Growth Fund.
Visit the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund website to learn how the Queensland Government is continuing to encourage private sector investment into projects right across the state.
