The state-of-the-art Brisbane Metro Depot Takes Shape at Rochedale reaching another construction milestone, with structural steel works now underway.
Brisbane Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy said that the all-electric depot is a crucial part of the Brisbane Metro project, which will deliver a cleaner and greener transport solution for commuters.
“The depot will contain stabling and maintenance facilities for the 60 electric vehicles, as well as the charging equipment and modern driver amenities,” Cr Murphy said.
“Strategically located alongside the South East Busway, there’s also plenty of room for future growth at the depot, with space for more metro vehicles into the future.
“The depot site allows the necessary capacity to service potential future Metro lines to the eastern suburbs to Carindale and Capalaba or further south to Springwood.”
Cr Murphy said the depot will house five flash chargers, capable of charging vehicles in just six minutes, in addition to 60 slow chargers.
“We are building the most advanced electric vehicle depot in Australia, and the high-performance charging system will allow us to operate our bi-articulated metro vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.
“The flash-charging technology will be 85 times faster than home electric vehicle charging, allowing a vehicle to be charged in just six minutes.”
Critical electrical works to support vehicle charging facilities are already underway on the site as the Metro Depot Takes Shape.
“The construction works to complete an electric depot of this size are extremely complex due to the number of in-ground services required,” Cr Murphy said.
“Council is installing a large one-megawatt solar power system at the depot, contributing to the site’s 5 Star Green Rating.
“The solar panels will produce enough energy to power 280 Brisbane homes annually, which will help us power the Brisbane Metro vehicles and the facility using green energy.
“We expect construction on the depot will be completed by late 2023 ahead of services starting in 2024.”
The 10-hectare end-of-route facility in Rochedale is also boosting the local economy with around 170 local jobs being supported during construction.
Cr Murphy said 500 tonnes of locally sourced steel will be used to construct the depot.
“All of the structural steel required across the depot site will be provided by Brown Steel,” he said.
“More than 80 per cent of the construction spend is occurring within Brisbane and South East Queensland, putting money right back into the local economy.”
More than 300 cubic metres of concrete has already been poured to lay the foundation for the administration building ahead of further structural steel works beginning.
For more information on how the Brisbane Metro will deliver a new era of connected transport in Brisbane, search ‘Brisbane Metro’ on Council’s website or visit https://vickihoward.com/brisbane-metro-final-design-unveils-one-of-the-most-advanced-electric-vehicles-in-the-world