As part of its ongoing commitment to bolster Western Australia’s railcar manufacturing sector, the WA Government has allocated more than $340,000 to upgrade and modernise a key local facility.
The funding, awarded to Gemco Rail through the Government’s Local Manufacturing Investment Fund (LMIF), aims to enhance the capabilities of Gemco’s Forrestfield-based manufacturing plant.
Minister Assisting the State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade, Stephen Dawson, emphasised the importance of the investment, noting its role in expanding local manufacturing capabilities.
“The Cook Government is focused on building our local manufacturing and maintenance capability to support the creation of more skilled jobs,” he said.
The upgrade at Gemco Rail’s Forrestfield facility will be integral to fulfilling a contract to deliver 40 iron ore rail wagons to BHP.
According to Dawson, the project is an example of how the LMIF is “assisting in diversifying the WA economy by strengthening core sectors like railcar manufacturing.”
In addition to this recent funding, Gemco Rail previously received $6.9 million from the LMIF in May 2023 to establish a new rail manufacturing and maintenance facility in Karratha, which is currently under construction.
The LMIF, a $15 million initiative established as part of the Cook Government’s 2021 election pledge, has allocated more than $13.5 million to help WA companies boost competitiveness and enhance services across the manufacturing sector.
Dawson underscored the broader impact of the LMIF: “Through the LMIF, the Cook Government is investing in keeping important industries such as railcar manufacturing operating here locally, as well as supporting other local companies throughout the State.”
This initiative aligns with the recently published Western Australia: Advancing the Future of Manufacturing prospectus, which lays out the government’s vision for a robust and resilient manufacturing industry within the state.
“Having a fully upgraded railcar facility will enable WA to keep up with a rapidly changing industry and ensure our products remain first class,” Dawson added, highlighting the state’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in rail manufacturing.
