Logistics News

Burnie port revamp completed

A joint venture to update Tasmanian rail and container efficiency has been completed

 

A $12 million upgrade project at Tasmania’s Burnie port has been completed, with works focusing on the rail intermodal terminal and its links with the Toll terminal.

The project, funded by the federal and Tasmanian governments, TasPorts, Toll Transport and TasRail, provides increased container storage and an extended railyard to accommodate larger-capacity trains.

The changes have also moved all rail activity to the operational area of the port.

Federal member for Braddon Brett Whiteley says the works will make Burnie more viable and improve safety for those accessing the West Beach.

“The works at Burnie Port have involved redeveloping the Southern Railyard and creating a high-productivity transport link within the port precinct from the railyard to the shipping terminal,” Whiteley says.

“The expansion of the railyard will also improve community safety and access to the beach, as from early next year trains will no longer need to be shunted along the main waterfront.”

Tasmanian minister for infrastructure Rene Hidding says the jointly funded “is a great example of state-wide collaboration and fully integrates freight rail to the port for a seamless, safe and reliable transport system.”

The comes at a busy time for the state, with the $119.6 million Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Project and Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) putting the local industry in the spotlight.

Infrastructure minister Warren Truss says the government’s investment in Burnie complements its “decision to extend the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.”

“The new TFES Ministerial Directions, which come into effect from 1 January 2016, will enable Tasmanian companies sending goods to the mainland to make claims regardless of the goods’ final destination,” he says.

Equally buoyant, Whiteley says the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation project “will upgrade track infrastructure to ensure the efficient operation of the Tasmanian rail network.”

 

 

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