The Victorian Government will re-open a rail freight route that will dramatically cut demand for B-doubles in regional Victoria
The Victorian Government will re-open a rail freight route in a move that will dramatically cut the number of B-doubles operating in regional Victoria.
Premier John Brumby has announced a $38.7 million upgrade of the State’s rail network to increase grain export productivity.
Brumby says the investment will improve efficiency and speed limits, and is part of the Government’s commitment to securing a sustainable rail network.
“I am delighted to announce that, because of this funding, we will re-open the Ouyen to Murrayville rail line,” he says.
Local councils have welcomed the news, with the Chair of the Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight Development group, Councillor Vernon Knight, saying it is an important and timely announcement.
“The Murrayville line alone has the potential to save in excess of 2,000 B-double movements a year so the significance of the announcement cannot be overstated,” he says.
“Rail provides a 70 percent saving in fuel and it’s clearly the logical alternative for long distance, bulk transport.”
The funds will be invested in lines from Benalla to Oaklands, Quambatook to Manangatang, Charlton to Sealake, Warracknabeel to Hopeturn and Ouyen to Murrayville.
The upgrades stem from the recommendations made by Tim Fischer in his Rail Freight Network Review.
Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky says the investment is being driven largely by the grain industry’s desire transport freight along those lines in the long-term.
Knight says rail freight is also an important aspect of tacking climate change.
He will attend the Victorian Government’s stakeholder briefing on measures to halve the State’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.