Bus contract means jobs

BALLARAT automotive manufacturer OzPress Industries is hiring for 20 new jobs created to deliver 50 new buses for Victorian passengers.

Recruitment for the new roles, including panel beaters, auto electricians and painters is underway, with the first workers already onboard. Luke Dwyer, OzPress Industries Managing Director, said the contract has given the business the chance to diversify after being in the automotive industry for 30 years.

“Moving into bus assembly is a great opportunity, it has given us the chance to rehire some of our loyal staff that unfortunately we had to let go after the Toyota closure in late 2017 effected the business,” he said.

The Ballarat-assembled buses are part of a $16 million order by the government for 100 new buses with the other 50 being built in Dandenong.

Alan Fodda, Public Transport Victoria’s acting CEO said the government had committed to the new buses for routes around the greater Melbourne area.

“The brilliant thing here is we are building the skill and capability in Ballarat, that means that there is capacity, after the first 50 buses have been built here, to build more buses,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for the future of buses in Victoria and the bus industry right here in Ballarat.”

OzPress Industries, in partnership with South East Asia’s largest bus body builder Gemilang, will assemble more than 60 per cent of each bus in its Ballarat factory.

With the first vehicles being assembled in Ballarat in the coming weeks the new low-floor buses will be running on the Melbourne public transport network from August this year.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison welcomed the announcement.

“The government is pleased to not only be creating new jobs and training opportunities in Ballarat, but also bringing new industry to our regional areas.”

It is anticipated the complete fleet of 50 buses will be delivered and operational in 18 months.