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Portland rail freight funding

THE Australian Government has committed $2.2 million to fund a business case that will evaluate the upgrade of the Maroona to Portland Port Rail Line, which runs through Hamilton.

Key stakeholders have been advocating to upgrade the line from 19 tonne axle loads (TAL) to 23 TAL to strengthen the competitiveness of the line and benefit from adjoining lines with higher axle loads.

Infrastructure, transport and regional development minister, Barnaby Joyce said the decision to fund a business case builds on the work done by the Port of Portland which provided a preliminary economic case for the upgrade.

“We have enlisted the Australian Rail Track Corporation to prepare a business case focusing on a detailed analysis of the benefits as well as a market engagement process to determine what volumes could be attracted to the line,” he said.

“Our government is committed to improving freight across our regions, cities and ports, to provide regional Australia with the best pathways to get products to domestic and international markets.

“The more products and commodities we export, the more money we earn to become as strong as possible, as quickly as possible.”

Wannon MP, Dan Tehan said the Australian Government was committed to building infrastructure that will secure our supply chains into the future.

“The business case will determine the full extent of the level of upgrade needed including scope, benefits and beneficiaries, and it will be completed in eighteen weeks,” he said.

“Our government has listened to calls to explore upgrading the capacity of Maroona to Portland Rail Line and this business case demonstrates our commitment to delivering a stronger future for our regions and for Victorians.”

Southern Grampians Shire councillor, Katrina Rainsford said she was happy to see the Federal Government commit to see if there was an economic foundation for upgrading the rail line, but hoped the commitment would not end there.

“The first step is a business case,” she said.

“Member for Wannon Dan Tehan has been very active in supporting Local Council’s push to get more freight onto rail in western Victoria.

“It’s great to see this Federal funding for the business case. Preliminary costing of upgrading the Maroona Portland line indicates the investment will be significant.

‘It’s important for our rail freight, the safety of our roads, maintaining the integrity of our roads, and getting us onto the passenger rail system.”

She cited the value of the line for moving freight and the ripple benefits to reducing road traffic and subsequent wear on the surfaces.

“One train takes 85 trucks off the road,” Cr Rainsford said.

“It used to be 12 per cent with the (rail) freight 10 years ago, now it’s only six per cent.

“We look forward to a funding commitment for the work before we see the onslaught of mineral sand trucks down an already challenged Henty Highway. It makes environmental sense, creates safer roads, saves constant highway repairs and will be an economical bulk freight mode for grain and mineral sands to our local Port of Portland, only if this railway line is upgraded.”

The business case is expected to be completed later this year.

For more information about ARTC projects, visit artc.com.au/projects.

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