Rail upgrade boosts freight capacity from regions to port

UPGRADES to rail freight lines in Victoria have increased tonnage capacity at four grain terminals and have strengthened rail access to Port of Melbourne.

The Shepparton-Tocumwal rail line was the subject of upgrade works aimed at increasing its load capacity from 19 to 20 tonne axle-load, with more capacity expected to follow.

Now, grain trains using the line can increase their loads by an additional 160 tonnes of grain.

A typical 650-metre-long loaded train reportedly carries more than $1.3 million worth of grain and is the equivalent to 50 loaded semi-trailers.

According to the Victorian government, between July 2021 and April this year, one million tonnes of grain valued at $600 million from 29 grain sites was moved to Port of Melbourne by more than 530 bulk grain trains.

Pacific National CEO Paul Scurrah described the Shepparton-Tocumwal rail line as a vital link in Victoria’s supply chain.

“It ensures Pacific National can continue to move large grain volumes by trains to the Port of Melbourne,” Mr Scurrah said.

He said transporting more bulk grain by trains will reduce the number of trucks on country roads, improving safety and reducing emissions in regional transport networks.

“As the largest hauler of grain and agricultural products, regional exports, and bulk goods on the eastern seaboard, Pacific National … has moved more than 200,000 tonnes of grain on this line over the past 12 months which is equivalent to removing more than 3700 trucks off Victoria’s road network.”

Melissa Horne, minister for ports and freight, said the state government is investing heavily in rail lines across north and north-west Victoria, particularly those which handle grain.

“Our freight network contributes $21 billion to our economy each year and employs 260,000 Victorians, connecting our farmers and producers to the rest of Australia and the world,” she said.

The state government said the Victorian Budget 2022/23 would deliver a further $181 million for critical maintenance works on the regional rail freight network, to improve its competitiveness and support the growing freight task in Victoria.