German multinational Siemens has announced a $4.8 million investment into a European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling centre in Brisbane, to serve as a base for its engineers to deliver rail expertise nationwide and export knowledge to Southeast Asia.
Speaking at the company’s AusRAIL PLUS 2017 stand on Tuesday, Siemens Australia and New Zealand chief executive Jeff Connolly said the investment was a demonstration of the company’s commitment to rail signalling expertise in Australia.
“We need intelligent rail infrastructure capable of coping with future needs,” Connolly said. “The best way to do this is to build local skills in globally proven rail standards and technology such as ETCS. This ETCS rail signalling centre is in Queensland, for Australia to the world.”
The ETCS Signalling Technology Centre has started with 10 people and Siemens plans to grow the team to around 17 people over the next 12 months. Subject to demand, the company says the workforce could grow to as many as 30 to 40 employees.
Connolly said he believes the industry can get rail right in Australia with a “strategic and aligned approach”.
“If we invest in proven global technologies rather than reinventing the wheel, choose to right technology partners and invest in developing technological skills of our people, then we create opportunities for future growth and make our local and national rail networks more competitive,” he said.
“Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a strong demand for our rail expertise from neighbouring South Asian countries – proving that when given the right platform, Australian ingenuity can excel on the world stage.
“The Queensland team has already played a significant role in ETCS implementations in Australia and Asia Pacific and are well positioned to sustain this growth.”
ARA chief executive Danny Broad welcomed the announcement, saying the commitment was a “major vote of confidence in Australia’s rail industry”.