Maryborough manufacturer Downer considers job cutsBy Lucy Loram and James TaylorABC Wide BayTopic:Manufacturing2h ago2 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 4:22amA spokesperson for Downer says it is consulting with workers about possible redundancies. (ABC Wide Bay: James Taylor)abc.net.au/news/jobs-cuts-expected-at-maryborough-manufacturer-downer/105238652Link copiedShareShare articleA manufacturing company building trains for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games says it is discussing "potential redundancies" with employees due to its reduced workload. Downer Group in the heritage city of Maryborough, three hours north of Brisbane, released a statement on Thursday saying it was in talks with its employees following a dip in the organisation's workload. "Due to a reduction in the expected volume of work at our Maryborough facility, Downer commenced consultation with our workforce regarding potential redundancies," a Downer spokesperson said. "No final decision has been made, and we continue to explore opportunities to fill the gap in work, in order to ease any impact with our people." The company has more than 250 employees at the Maryborough site but it has not confirmed how many jobs are at risk. Union to defend jobsAustralian Manufacturing Worker's Union state secretary Rohan Webb said the union would continue to advocate for all of its members."We will fight to defend their jobs and the community that depends on them," Mr Webb said."Once you make skilled workers redundant in a regional town, you don't just lose jobs — you lose the skills, experience and capability that underpins entire industries."In 2023, Downer signed a $4.6 billion contract to deliver the then-Palaszczuk government's Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, which included 65 passenger trains to be built in time for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.Speaking in the Queensland parliament on Thursday, Resources Minister Dale Last said all jobs at the Downer Torbanlea facility tasked with building trains for the Olympics would be honoured, but he did not provide any explicit assurances for the Maryborough facility."The jobs that have been created at the new train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea are secure and they will be secure for the construction of those 65 trains [for the Olympics]," Mr Last said.ABC Wide Bay — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each ThursdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 2h ago2 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 4:22am, updated 52m ago52 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 5:32amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesCoalition's public service cuts 'focused on Canberra', shadow finance minister says LIVEPhoto shows Jane Hume stands at lecternCoalition costings reveal worse budget for first two years under Dutton compared to LaborBREAKINGPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor press conferenceDutton hints at campaign failure as polls show Albanese majority in sightTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Peter Dutton election shadowsErin Patterson tried to persuade ex to attend fatal lunch, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows Simon Patterson walks through a sunlit carpark, dressed in a black suit and blue tie.Nampijinpa Price contradicts Dutton, asserting Coalition will end school 'indoctrination'Topic:Public SchoolsPhoto shows Jacinta Price speaks while Dutton stands behind her listening. 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