The Gillard Labor Government will provide $135 million in Federal funding to rebuild and modernise the State's Grain Rail Network in partnership with the Government of Western Australia.
Restoring the reliability and efficiency of this infrastructure is vital to protecting not only the livelihoods of the State's primary producers but also Australia's trade performance going forward.
Western Australia is the nation's largest wheat producing state, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the national crop. More than 90 per cent of which is destine for customers overseas via ports such as Kwinana.
- While the final scope of work is currently being finalised, Federal funding together with that already committed by the State Government will be used to:
- Re-sleeper the line between Avon and Albany;
- Re-sleeper and upgrade the State's Tier 1 and Tier 2 rail lines;
- Improve and maintain wheat-belt roads; and
- Provide a transition assistance package designed to make sure rail remains competitive with road.
The WA Wheat Belt is divided into four main zones: Albany; Kwinana; Esperance; and Geraldton - all of which will benefit from the funding being provided.
Once completed, the upgraded rail network will mean lower transport costs for farmers. It will also deliver wider community benefits such as fewer trucks on the State's roads.
The Gillard Labor Government understands that the task of renewing our nation's infrastructure requires a partnership between all levels of government. That's why we're working with the WA Government to deliver this upgrade to the State's rail network as quickly as possible.
All up, we're investing $3.5 billion over six years to maintain and modernise the State's road and rail infrastructure - significantly more than that spent by our predecessors.
Based on the recommendations from the Strategic Grain Network Committee, the modernisation of the State's Grain Rail Network is being jointly funded by the Gillard Labor Government ($135 million), the State Government ($178.8 million) and industry ($175 million).