Riverina Rail Set For $70 Million Revival

The NSW Government has announced a Riverina rail revival is underway with more than $70 million in rail projects to be funded under the Fixing Country Rail Program, the largest of which is officially complete. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway said 174 kilometres of rail between Junee and Griffith had been replaced, while an $11.7 million project was about to get underway near Coolamon to further reduce rail bottlenecks on the line. “Fixing Country Rail is a $400 million program unlocking the economic potential of regional NSW,” Mr Farraway said. “Our regional freight task in NSW is expected to increase by 17 per cent to 311 million tonnes by 2036, which is why improving our supply chain network whether it be rail or roads, is so important. “The Junee to Griffith upgrade allows heavier freight trains to use the track and adds capacity for those trains to travel at higher speeds, making journeys more efficient for freight trains transporting goods and produce from farms in the Riverina across the state, Australia and overseas.” The project to extend the Coolamon Siding is expected to help alleviate bottlenecks and congestion on the single-line track between Junee and Griffith, where opportunities are currently limited for freight trains to load and unload off the main line. “It will allow access for modern freight trains up to 1500 metres long to exit the main line, letting passenger and other freight services pass while the train is loading or unloading,” Mr Farraway said. “The Riverina is the largest agricultural producer in regional NSW and this rail upgrade will increase bulk grain loading capability for freight trains.” GM Regional Logistics, LINX, Griffith-based Wayne Alpen looked on the funding as a positive for the city. “As the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said yesterday, the Riverina is the largest agricultural producer in regional NSW and our state’s freight task is set to increase significantly in the years to come,” Mr Alpen said. “As a leading freight and logistics operator supporting importers and exporters across our region, we welcome any investment that will bolster key infrastructure and deliver more efficient and safer outcomes for our economy and community. Early work is due to start next month and the project is expected to be completed in 2023, weather permitting.

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