The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has commended the Victorian Government’s decision to go ahead with the Murray Basin Rail Project, saying rail is simply the best option for getting the region’s products to export.
Premier Daniel Andrews on August 17 announced $220 million in state funding towards a $416 million package of railway gauge standardisation and upgrading works in north-western Victoria.
ARA’s acting chief operating officer Phil Allan welcomed the news on Thursday.
“This project, once completed, will fully connect one of Australia’s major economic areas into the national rail and logistics networks,” Allan said.
“It will allow greater efficiency and higher loadings for existing intermodal and grain trains and attract new traffic to rail.
“The Murray Basin is a highly productive area for a range of commodities, including grain, mineral sands, food and wine.
“The best way to move these commodities to market is by rail and the Murray Basin Rail Project, when completed, will allow growers and producers to send their products by rail to a broader range of Victorian and interstate ports.
Axle loading on Murray Basin freight lines will be increased to 21 tonnes, allowing larger trains to carry more product with each trip. More freight on rail, Andrews argued, meant 20,000 truck trips off the roads each year, and a more competitive export industry in Victoria.
Allan reinforced Andrews’ earlier request for the Federal Government to support the project.
“Previous Federal Governments have helped fund gauge standardisation to link branchlines into the national rail network,” Allan said.
“Based on this precedent, the ARA calls on the current Federal Government to contribute to this project to ensure it will be fully realised.
“Rail is the most environmentally effective and fuel-efficient form of land transport. Greater investment in rail by State and Federal governments will only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Australia’s land transport network and provide long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.”