The Western Australian Government has announced that Co-operative Bulk Handling’s (CBH) Brookton rail siding is now operational after upgrades, allowing longer trains to load grain more efficiently.
The project is supported by the first package of the State and Australian Governments‘ $200 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) program, focusing on targeted freight rail upgrades in Western Australia’s grain growing regions.
“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,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.
“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,” Minister Saffioti stated.
Brookton was the first of 11 rail siding improvements to begin construction in February, and it was initially scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.
The new extended rail siding already provides benefits, such as shorter grain loading times for a 50-wagon train, less congestion on the main rail line, and greater safety for rail workers due to less manual handling.
“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,” Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said.
“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,” Minister Jarvis added.
CBH is investing in rail siding upgrades alongside the government by designing and building rapid rail loading facilities at all 11 sites. This infrastructure is being designed and will increase the efficiency of grain handling and loading.
Construction on a second rail siding upgrade at Broomehill began in early May of this year, allowing twice as much grain to be loaded onto wagons in less than half the time it presently takes.
Construction on two more rail siding modifications at the Moora and Cranbrook CBH grain receiving bins is planned to begin before the end of the year.
