Groundbreaking start to agricultural supply chain project

Site works have begun at the Wheatbelt town of Brookton on the first of 11 rail siding upgrades to optimise the safe and efficient transport of the State’s bumper grain harvests to domestic and international markets.

The upgrade is part of Package 1 of the $200 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement (ASCI) Program, jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments.

Constructed by Western Australian company Multiplant, the Brookton rail siding extension will connect to the Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) grain bin, allowing longer trains to load grain adjacent to the Great Southern Line without causing congestion on the main line.

To complement the Government funding and further improve grain handling and loading, CBH will also invest in rapid loading bins and elevators at all 11 rail siding upgrade sites.

These sites include Broomehill, which will be the next to begin construction in March, followed by Moora and Cranbrook. The seven remaining sites of Avon (Meenaar), Kellerberrin, Dowerin, Konnongorring, Ballidu, Mingenew and

Perenjori North are expected to break ground during 2024.

ASCI Package 1 funds focus on freight rail upgrades in the Wheatbelt, MidWest, Great Southern and GoldfieldsEsperance regions.

In addition to allocating $68 million for 11 rail siding upgrades, $60 million has been allocated to upgrade the main Midland Rail Line between Carnamah and Mingenew, and $72 million for investigation and recommissioning of rail lines in the Narrogin-WickepinKulin area.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “Western Australia’s agricultural products contribute approximately $8 billion annually to the WA economy and are sold to more than 30 countries around the world.

“With WA’s recent run of recordbreaking 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.

“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.”

The group has cited the loss of 3,000 jobs in Western Australia and the empowerment of animal activists as key reasons for their opposition. Many have vowed to boycott phase out consultations. Signatories include the National Farmers Federation, Australian Live Exporters Council, Sheep Producers Australia and Australian Lot Feeders Association.

Since 2017, the live sheep export sector has overhauled practices. Mandatory reporting to parliament demonstrates that mortality rates on voyages have dropped by three quarters to 0.21 per cent.

Yes that’s correct – 0.21 per cent.

Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud MP has made support for a future Coalition government contingent on reinstatement of the live export trade. Mr Littleproud has also extended an invitation to all crossbenchers’ wanting to learn more about the trade to join him on a tour of the supply chain and facilities in Western Australia. The invitation has been accepted by independent Senator David Pocock.

“Banning the trade cannot be done via export control orders because the industry has had a long-term permanent presence. Any new legislation entering the current Parliament is likely to require the support of several crossbenchers. However, there are some Liberals including Sussan Ley, Sarah Henderson and Jason Wood have previously supported a ban (however Ms Ley has since reversed her position in light of improving industry standards), says the ALRTA.

“ALRTA will participate in the consultation process while remaining opposed to the ban. We will highlight impacts on the road transport sector and adjustment options, including compensation.”