Broomehill rapid rail outloading and siding project is now complete, consisting of a new 2.1km rail siding.
The rail siding is adjacent to the mainline to enable rapid loading of longer trains at Broomehill in Western Australia, while providing a passing loop in the Albany Zone allowing for a third train to operate.
The trains will be loaded via a 4,400-tonne equivalent fixed rail loading facility.
The new loading facility can load a 60-wagon train (approx. 3,600 tonnes) without disrupting the mainline, within four hours.
Previously, only 30 wagons could be loaded at Broomehill, which would take 11 hours, requiring multiple shunts that would disrupt the mainline.
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The project was funded in partnership with the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments under Package 1 of the ASCI Program.
Broomehill is the third rail siding built at a CBH Group site under the program, after two were completed at Brookton (August 2023) and Konnongorring (November 2024).
CBH Chief Executive Officer Ben Macnamara heralded the new project as a game-changer for the Albany Zone, creating benefits across the whole CBH network.
“The Broomehill rapid rail outloading and siding project will provide greater flexibility within our supply chain, delivering more tonnes to port via rail and reducing trucks on roads,” he said.
“The efficiencies we will gain are significant: bigger trains will be able to be loaded in less than half the time, and with a rail passing loop being built, we have the option to run additional train sets in the Albany Zone.
“Transporting more grain on rail will not only increase the international competitiveness of WA grain growers, but also improve safety outcomes for Western Australian regional communities.”
He extended his thanks to the CBH teams, Kotzur, Pacific Industrial, local contractors and suppliers, the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup, and the state and federal governments.
“Rapid rail outloading and siding projects like Broomehill play an essential part of CBH’s network investment,” he added.
“A high performing network and supply chain are crucial for the long-term viability of WA’s grain growers, the grain industry, and regional Western Australia.
“We have achieved our Horizon 1 target of exporting 2 million tonnes in a month when needed.
“We’ve now entered Horizon 2 in our ‘Path to 2033’ Strategy, which sets a target of being able to export 2.5 million tonnes monthly as required – and the outcomes provided by rapid rail outloading and siding projects like Broomehill are critical to achieve this.”
