Please note we are conducting maintenance on CCIWA from Thurs 2nd of November 8am until Mon 6th of November 8am.

During this time, you may experience disruptions to the website, including eCommerce & eLearning. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions, please contact us on 1300 422 492 or email us at [email protected]

X

Free HR Services from our Employee Relations Experts. Find out more.

Our Business Services

Chamber of Commerce & Industry WA

With over 130 years of experience representing WA businesses, we’re ready to help with the resources and advice you need to succeed.

Employee Relations Helpline

Employee Relations Helpline

Get timely, reliable and practical employee relations advice on employment laws, the awards system and other human resource matters. CCIWA Members get unlimited access.

Legal Services

Legal Services

Our team of experienced, client-focused business lawyers offer a full range of Commercial Law & Employment Law services for all your essential legal needs.

Accounting & Taxation Services

Optima Partners and CCIWA

Innovative and personalised accounting, taxation and business advisory services that focus on delivering the best results to help your business grow.

Workplace Health & Safety Services

Workplace Health & Safety Services

Unlock the potential of your business with our suite of staff training and development programs, crafted by workplace relations experts and tailored to your business needs.

Construction & Mining IR Services

Construction & Mining IR Services

We offer extensive, independent and practical industrial and labour relations support to the engineering, construction and mining industries.

Workplace Training & Development

Workplace Training & Development

Unlock the potential of your business with our suite of staff training and development programs, crafted by workplace relations experts and tailored to your business needs.

Apprenticeship Support Australia WA

Apprenticeship Support Australia WA

Our dedicated team specialises in assisting employers maximise the benefits of investing in apprenticeships and traineeships to build local skills for the diverse WA workforce. Our team of experts will provide all the advice, support and services you need — free of charge.

Work Integrated Learning – Internships

Work Integrated Learning - Internships

Tap into WA’s future workforce with our Work Integrated Learning – Internships program. This free service facilitates university student work experience placements for your business.

Industry Capability Network WA

Industry Capability Network WA

Connecting your business with mining, construction, infrastructure, defence and other major projects using the ICN Gateway.

International Trade Services

International Trade Services

Take your business global using our comprehensive suite of international trade services to streamline importing and exporting, reduce risks and identify international partners.

SME grants open for $1.6b railcar deal

Small to medium businesses can get on board WA’s railcar manufacturing industry with the State Government naming French multinational Alstom as its preferred proponent to build 246 railcars at a new manufacturing hub in Bellevue.

The government has decreed that 50 per cent of the railcars must be made in WA in a deal worth $1.6 billion over 10 years.

As the biggest order of railcars in the state’s history, it will establish a pipeline of work for WA suppliers eager to be part of the rejuvenation of WA’s railcar manufacturing industry.

Businesses can apply for up to $20,000 in the Metronet railcar procurement round of the State Government’s local capability fund, with applications due by August 30.

The round of funding will help small and medium business meet essential pre-qualification criteria for supply chain entry, buy plant and equipment and cover consultancy costs. Click here for more details.

Previous funding rounds for Metronet railcar procurement and the Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy saw 64 WA businesses receive grants worth more than $950,000.

Since the Midland railway workshops were closed in 1994, new trains have been mostly built in Queensland with minor commissioning works carried out in WA such as removing transport bogies and replacing them with narrow bogies suitable for Perth’s inner city trainlines.

Construction on the first stage of the $30 million Bellevue plant is expected to start next year with completion due in 2021. Construction of the following stages – including a new railcar depot and diesel facility – will continue until 2023.

Once the contract is finalised later this year, Alstom will also be responsible for maintaining the fleet of railcars for the next 30 years.

From 2022 the new trains will run on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines initially, as they have the highest patronage demand and service frequency.

While the final design and features of the railcars are still to be finalised, the six-car trains will carry about 1200 passengers and have an operational life of 35 years.

Additional and wider than normal passenger doors will make it easier to get on and off, while technology including USB charging points, LED lighting and regenerative braking will also be installed to make the new trains more efficient.

“Currently the work carried out locally is limited to window tinting and passenger seating, just 2 per cent of the work – WA can do so much more than that,” Premier Mark McGowan said.

“So we’re bringing railcar manufacturing back to WA and back to its home in the Midland area, with a new railcar facility in Bellevue.

“It means hundreds of quality, local jobs, more training and apprenticeship opportunities for our kids and WA made trains, on our new WA built Metronet lines.”

Alstom has been in Victoria for 100 years. It has supplied Australia’s first fully automated trains in Sydney, which began operating two months ago, and more than 600 railcars for Melbourne’s suburban network.

Alstom Australia-New Zealand Managing Director Mark Coxon said the company was delighted by this week’s announcement.

“We look forward to building on our existing local footprint and partnering with the State of WA in this exciting new phase of local railway manufacturing,” he said.

Share This Post