Major grain carrying rail lines will be upgraded as part of a $38.7 million package reinforcing the Brumby Government’s commitment to a sustainable rail freight industry supporting farmers and the agricultural sector.
In Horsham for the Wimmera Community Cabinet today, Premier John Brumby said the funding would upgrade the majority of rail freight lines earmarked as Silver Lines in Tim Fischer’s Rail Freight Network Review to achieve improved speed limits and deliver a boost to the efficiency of the rail freight network.
“Our Government is taking action to build on the sustainability of Victoria’s rail freight network. This major boost will upgrade important rail freight lines and help secure jobs and our economy,” Mr Brumby said.
"This major boost will upgrade important rail freight lines and help secure jobs and our economy.”
“Since receiving Tim Fischer’s review we have acted quickly on his recommendations, injecting $21.4 million to support the industry through transition and $37.4 million to upgrade priority Gold Lines and carry out maintenance.
“All of this is on top of the $133.8 million we invested to buy back the rail network last year and $171.3 million we are investing towards the $501 million North East Rail Revitalisation Project.
“Today’s announcement to upgrade the majority of Silver Lines means that more than 70 per cent of Victoria’s rail freight-only network is now being upgraded.
Silver Lines to be upgraded are:
• Benalla – Oaklands;
• Quambatook – Manangatang;
• Charlton – Sealake;
• Warracknabeal – Hopetoun; and
• Ouyen – Murrayville.
“We have introduced a combination of short-term measures such as the support package which is now being complemented by longer term projects of track upgrades and maintenance to ensure our rail freight network is competitive and sustainable,” Mr Brumby said.
“Victoria’s rail freight network carries 80 per cent of the state’s export grain, transporting it from regional areas to the ports of Geelong, Melbourne and Portland. And I am delighted to announce that because of this funding, we will re-open the Ouyen to Murrayville rail line.”
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the Brumby Government’s investment in the Silver Lines had been driven largely by the grain industry’s commitment to transporting grain along those lines in the long-term.
Ms Kosky applauded the Gold Lines upgrades project team for securing delivery of the Gold Lines upgrades for $5.3 million under the original estimate of $42.7 million.
She said Silver Lines to Deniliquin and Echuca and Echuca to Toolamba were already upgraded and adequately met current demand. The short Maryborough to Moolort Silver Line will also be upgraded but is currently available for freight use.
Graincorp, AWB and ABB have committed up to eight trains to service Victoria’s grain freight and Graincorp will also invest in upgrading silos located along operating rail lines in Victoria.
In addition, three companies have committed to provide grain freight services on Victoria’s rail network. Genesee and Wyoming, Pacific National and El Zorro have all entered agreements with customers to transport grain freight from regional Victoria to the ports on rail.
“Rehabilitating the Silver Lines will ensure the lines remain operational, so local industry can continue to thrive into the future,” Ms Kosky said.
Upgrades to the lines will begin next year.