First Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements project delivering results

• Brookton rail siding upgrade completed months ahead of schedule
• First of 11 rail siding projects to maximise grain tonnage delivered to ports
• Project part of $200 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements program

An upgrade to the rail siding at Co-operative Bulk Handling's (CBH) Brookton grain receival site has been completed months ahead of schedule and is now operational, allowing longer trains to load grain more efficiently.

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

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

The new extended rail siding is already delivering benefits, including reduced grain loading times for a 50-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 the rail siding upgrades by designing and installing rapid rail loading facilities at all 11 sites. Design for this infrastructure is underway and will further improve the efficiency of grain handling and loading.

Construction of a second rail siding upgrade started in Broomehill in early May this year, which will allow double the amount of grain to be loaded onto wagons in less than half the time it currently takes.

Two further rail siding upgrades at Moora and Cranbrook CBH grain receival bins are expected to begin construction towards the end of the year.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

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

"State Government investment in the ASCI program means 10 more rail siding upgrades are in the pipeline and the combined effect will transform our capacity to safely and efficiently deliver greater volumes of WA grain products to our ports."

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"The completion of the Brookton rail siding works 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-out of the other rail siding upgrades, which will help WA growers achieve the best premiums possible for their product by strengthening our supply chain efficiencies."