The Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), which is advising the development of the federal government’s National Rail Manufacturing Plan, hosted assistant manufacturing minister Tim Ayres on Monday.

Ayres – who also visited cutter and grinder tool manufacturer ANCA yesterday to announce a a $3 million grant – is leading development of the rail plan. 

Monash’s IRT is a 51-year-old research centre which has delivered over 600 projects and has been part of Monash University in 2000.

According to a statement from Monash, Ayres was given information of the latest railway research and technology development, and on rthe value of targeted translational research and innovation.

“Digitally enabled systems and advanced technologies will play a critical role to improve efficiencies and sustainability in our future railways, and can seamlessly integrate multi-modal transport networks to meet changing demands,” said the institute’s director, Professor Ravi Ravitharan.

The federal government’s National Rail Manufacturing Plan will be delivered by a new Office of National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC). 

According to the government: “It will create skilled manufacturing jobs by building more trains in Australia” and “work closely with state and territory governments, manufacturers, industry peak bodies, unions and research organisations to implement the plan.”

Further reading

ANCA TO BOOST PRECISION MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY

CANBERRA MOVES TO BOOST RAIL MANUFACTURING