The first of 11 sites has begun working on critical freight rail upgrades that will revolutionise WA’s agricultural supply chain industry
The Western Australian government has announced a groundbreaking start to its Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement (ASCI) program as it reaches its first major milestone.
A ceremony in Brookton celebrated the first of 11 rail siding upgrades getting underway to maximise grain tonnage able to be delivered to ports, as the $200 million project is set to enhance freight and supply chain capabilities.
Site works have begun in Brookton, with the rail siding upgrades helping make freight transport safer and more efficient during bumper grain harvests.
This first package of the ASCI program is jointly funded by the WA and federal governments, with construction company Multiplant working on the project to connect to the Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) grain bin and avoid congestion.
CBH will also invest in rapid loading bins and elevators at all of the 11 rail siding upgrading sides to complete the project.
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The sites include Broomehill, which is set to be the next area to begin construction in March, before Moora and Cranbrook will follow the remaining sites in Avon (Meenaar), Kellerberrin, Dowerin, Konnongorring, Ballidu, Mingenew and Perenjori North.
The first package of ASCI funds freight rail upgrades in the area.
WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says the works will help make the state’s agricultural industry, which contributes around $8 billion annually to the economy, more efficient.
“With WA’s recent run of record-breaking grain harvests, it’s more important than ever to optimise the efficiency of our agricultural freight transport supply chains to manage the increase in product,” Saffioti says.
“As well as an economic boost, the ability to transport more grain by rail will improve community safety and decrease environmental emissions and road maintenance by reducing the need for road freight.”