- Townsville will get North Queensland's first specialist hub for electric and hydrogen-powered trucks and Australian Defence Force heavy vehicles
- The $18.79 million Defence and Hydrogen Maintenance Hub is to be built in the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park, within the Townsville State Development Area
- The hub will boost North Queensland's renewable energy supply chain and is being supported by the Queensland Government's Industry Partnership Program
- 65 jobs will be created as well as training in EV and hydrogen vehicle maintenance
Townsville's renewables supply chain is to be boosted by a $18.79 million next-generation centre for green-powered trucking fleets and ADF heavy vehicles.
Thanks to Queensland Government support, RGM Maintenance will build the Defence and Hydrogen Maintenance Hub in the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park.
The hub will sell, repair and maintain new-generation EV and hydrogen heavy vehicles and be a major link in North Queensland's growing renewable energy supply chain.
It will also ensure ADF heavy vehicles have a bigger and better specialist facility for maintenance and repairs.
The hub will also support training and additional skilled jobs in renewables transport maintenance.
Construction is expected to start in late 2024 with the hub anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Steven Miles:
"The Defence and Hydrogen Maintenance Hub is another exciting opportunity coming to regional Queensland thanks to our state's clean energy transformation," Mr Miles said.
"This will be the first North Queensland centre specialising in end-to-end sales, repair and maintenance of clean, green EV and hydrogen heavy transport.
"The hub will put North Queensland and Townsville on the map as a key location for new-generation heavy-vehicle fleets.
"It also reinforces Queensland's position as Australia's khaki state offering essential services to support ADF ground transport operations.
"The hub will also provide skilled jobs and training for workers in the growing industry of green-fuelled heavy transport.
"This project is supported by the Queensland Government's Industry Partnership Program and aligns with our Queensland new-industry development strategy which is developing the industries that will be in demand as the world decarbonises.
"This is a further step forward for the local hydrogen industry and builds on Queensland Government assistance previously provided by the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF).
The HIDF has helped locally based hydrogen fuel production and trucking fleets gain traction through support provided to Ark Energy in Townsville.
"Ark Energy is developing the SunHQ hydrogen hub a renewable hydrogen production and refuelling facility at the Sun Metals zinc refinery and will be trialling five hydrogen fuel cell electric prime-movers in the Sun Metals fleet.
"Other heavy vehicle opportunities are also being investigated in the Townsville region that would also benefit from the Hydrogen Maintenance Hub."
Quotes attributable to Member for Townsville Scott Stewart:
"The Palaszczuk Government is supporting investment in new industries like critical minerals through Copperstring 2032 and hydrogen facilities like this and the SunHQ hydrogen hub which is now under construction.
"I want to see new industries flourish in Townsville and help businesses and people take advantage of those opportunities moving forward."
Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra and NQ Hydrogen Champion Les Walker:
"Townsville is Australia's largest garrison city and we know how important Defence is a direct and indirect employee.
"Supporting businesses like RGM Maintenance who work in the Defence industry is another way we can help support the jobs of the future in Townsville."
Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:
"Townsville is primed to take advantage of Queensland's clean energy transformation which means good jobs for people in the city.
"That's why we're backing businesses like RGM Maintenance through the Palaszczuk Government's Industry Partnership Program because it's important we build the capability and capacity of people in Townsville to take on these new jobs."
Quotes attributable to Mr Greg Jackson, Director RGM:
"The Defence and Hydrogen Maintenance Hub is a huge step forward for next-generation heavy transport in North Queensland," Mr Jackson said.
"There is enormous potential for EV and hydrogen vehicles in the heavy transport sector and the hub will help put Townsville at the forefront of this expanding sector.
"The hub will take the lead as a complete end-to-end centre for the sale, repair and maintenance of these green-fuelled heavy vehicles.
"It will also provide a bigger and better facility for servicing ADF ground transport fleets.
"The hub is expected to create 65 new jobs, in addition to the existing 62 staff now employed at our existing Townsville operations."
RGM has heavy vehicle operations throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory and is an existing service provider to the ADF.
