First Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements project delivering results

An upgrade to the rail siding atCo-operative Bulk Handling's (CBH) Brookton grain receival site has beencompleted months ahead of schedule and is now operational, allowing longertrains to load grain more efficiently.

The project is funded through thefirst package of the State and Commonwealth Government's $200 millionAgricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) program which focuses on targetedfreight rail upgrades in the grain growing regions of Western Australia.

Brookton was the first of 11 railsiding upgrades to begin construction in February and was originally expectedto be completed towards the end of this year.

The new extended rail siding isalready delivering benefits, including reduced grain loading times for a50-wagon train by around one hour, reduced congestion on the main rail line,and improved safety with less manual handling for rail operators.

CBH is investing alongside Government in therail siding upgrades by designing and installing rapid rail loading facilitiesat all 11 sites. Design for this infrastructure is underway and will furtherimprove the efficiency of grain handling and loading.

Construction of a second rail sidingupgrade started in Broomehill in early May this year, which will allow doublethe amount of grain to be loaded onto wagons in less than half the time it currentlytakes.

Two further rail siding upgradesat Moora and Cranbrook CBH grain receival bins are expected to beginconstruction towards the end of the year.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister RitaSaffioti:

"TheBrookton rail siding upgrade is already delivering savings and efficiencies forgrain handling and loading at a time when new records continue to be set forgrain production and export in Western Australia.

"StateGovernment investment in the ASCI program means 10 more rail siding upgradesare in the pipeline and the combined effect will transform our capacity to safelyand efficiently deliver greater volumes of WA grain products to our ports."

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food MinisterJackie Jarvis:

"The completion of the Brookton rail sidingworks ahead of schedule has pushed forward freight efficiencies at this site,making it safer, easier and quicker to load longer trains, carrying more grain.

"I look forward to the continued roll-outof the other rail siding upgrades, which will help WA growers achieve the bestpremiums possible for their product by strengthening our supply chainefficiencies."