Completed rail freight upgrades at CBH Group’s Moora and Cranbrook grain receival sites are helping to get more grain to port faster during Western Australia’s biggest ever grain harvest, according to the WA government.
Delivered late last year, the upgrades were jointly funded by the state and federal governments through the $200 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) program, in addition to investment from CBH Group.
The 2025–26 CBH Group grain harvest has set a new record for WA at over 24 million tonnes, which is worth approximately $10 billion to the state economy.
As the harvest enters the out-loading stage, the government said the ASCI projects are “building efficiency and capacity into the supply chain”, ensuring more of the bumper crop is moved to port during the peak export pricing window.
Rail siding upgrades at 11 CBH sites are covered by the ASCI program to deliver supply chain efficiencies through targeted rail freight infrastructure upgrades.
At Moora, north of Perth, a new loading facility and extended rail siding with a new passing loop has enabled more wagon trains to be loaded in less time than before.
Meanwhile at Cranbrook, an upgraded and realigned rail siding and new fixed rail loading facility cut the loading time of a 60-wagon train from about seven to four hours.
Upgrades at Cranbrook, Moora, Broomehill and Konnongorring are complete, with work at Ballidu and Perenjori to progress in 2026.
Another ASCI project to upgrade the Midland Line between Carnamah to Mingenew has entered the design and procurement stage.
When complete, the project will allow 25 per cent more grain per wagon to be transported on the line to the Port of Geraldton for export.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King: “WA grain exports contribute significantly to the national economy and the Albanese and Cook Labor governments are working together through ASCI to support this sector.
“The average harvest size in WA has increased significantly over the past five years and the infrastructure delivered through ASCI is essential to supporting this growth.”
