Nearly $180 million extra funding was announced by the Barnett government in November to upgrade grain rail and grain roads in WA. The new funding is on top of the $80 million allocated earlier by the Barnett government ($50 million) and and Federal government ($30 million). It also secured the additional $135 million committed in the 2010-11 federal budget, and brought the total investment in the grain freight network to $352 million over four years.
The plan follows recommendations from the Strategic Grain Network Committee and has the backing of industry. The funding includes:
· $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on the State’s most competitive grain freight lines (Tier 1 and Tier 2 lines);
· $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to wheat-belt roads;
· $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure rail transport remains competitive with road; and
· $500,000 for a study to investigate the options for a new rail link from the Avon to Albany line near Brookton to Kwinana.
Road upgrades include:
· Cunderdin to Quairading
· Traying to Kellerberrin and beyond Bruce Rock
· Merredin to Nungarin
· Brookton to Yealering and Corrigin; and southwards along the road towards Narrogin before connecting into the road towards Kulin
· Kondinin to Narembeen
Rail upgrades include
· Mclevie to Albany through Goomalling, York, Brookton, Narrogin, Wagin and Katanning
· Goomalling to Kalannie, Beacon and Mukinbudin
· Wagin to Hyden and Newdegate
The plan follows recommendations from the Strategic Grain Network Committee and has the backing of industry. The funding includes:
· $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on the State’s most competitive grain freight lines (Tier 1 and Tier 2 lines);
· $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to wheat-belt roads;
· $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure rail transport remains competitive with road; and
· $500,000 for a study to investigate the options for a new rail link from the Avon to Albany line near Brookton to Kwinana.
Road upgrades include:
· Cunderdin to Quairading
· Traying to Kellerberrin and beyond Bruce Rock
· Merredin to Nungarin
· Brookton to Yealering and Corrigin; and southwards along the road towards Narrogin before connecting into the road towards Kulin
· Kondinin to Narembeen
Rail upgrades include
· Mclevie to Albany through Goomalling, York, Brookton, Narrogin, Wagin and Katanning
· Goomalling to Kalannie, Beacon and Mukinbudin
· Wagin to Hyden and Newdegate
Millions more for grain rail and roads
Copyright Brian Ellis MLC © 2009 - 2011
Electorate Office: Unit 1, Druids Hall, Corner Durlacher and Sanford Streets, Geraldton, WA 6530. PO Box 231, Geraldton, WA 6531
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
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