NSW grain rail line to reopen with added charge

By Rob McKay

New South Wales Transport Minister David Campbell confirmed the north-western NSW line would reopen after it was closed on September 1st due to safety accreditation issues.
GrainCorp managing director Mark Irwin said the decision would be a major boost to grain producers in the region north-west of Moree.
“GrainCorp agreed to the government’s request for a user-pays contribution as we believe this is fair and reasonable,” Irwin said.
“GrainCorp has decided not to pass on the $1 a tonne charge to growers.
“We will absorb it as part of our commitment to, and support for, this important piece of infrastructure.
“Now the NSW Government has announced their commitment to re-opening the line, we urge growers and grain buyers to support the line by delivering to, and buying from, the Weemelah and Garah sites.”
GrainCorp was to discuss options with the government to have the line recommissioned by mid-December. This would coincide with the completion of harvesting and the commencement of grain exports from the region.
Depending on the conditions leading up to harvest, GrainCorp anticipated hauling at least 200,000 tonnes from Weemelah and Garah over the next 12 months.
Farmers welcomed the move.
“The Weemelah line is pivotal for our members' grain transport and it is expected to transport up to 300,000 tonnes of grain over the next nine-to-12 months,” NSW Farmers’ Association president Charles Armstrong said.
“The minister has promised services will soon resume and we will be making sure the 2500 sleepers promised by the minister are fitted by mid-December.
“The grains industry needs the Weemalah-Camurra branch line up and running by that time at the latest. Otherwise it will begin to impinge on marketing and storage decisions growers make if the service is not provided by then.”

Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au