<p>Major grain carrying rail lines in Victoria will be upgraded as part of a $38.7m State Government package to ensure the state’s sustainable rail freight.</p> <p>Rail lines to be improved were identified as “silver” in a rail freight network review conducted last year by former deputy prime minister Tim Fisher.</p> <p>Victorian premier John Brumby said the majority of silver lines would be upgraded to improve speed limits and deliver a boost to the efficiency of the rail freight network.</p> <p>Silver Lines to be upgraded include tracks from Benalla to Oaklands, Quambatook to Manangatang, Charlton to Sealake, Warracknabeal to Hopetoun and Ouyen to Murrayville.</p> <p>Mr Brumby said Victoria’s rail freight network was transporting 80% of the state’s export grain from regional areas to the port of Geelong, Melbourne and Portland.</p> <p>He said 70% of Victoria’s rail freight-only network was now being upgraded.</p> <p>Since receiving the Fischer report, the State and Federal governments have invested more than $900m in rail upgrades, including $133.8m to buy back the rail network and $501m towards the north east rail revitalisation project, connecting Melbourne to Sydney.</p> <p>“We have introduced a combination of short-term measures, such as the support package which is now being complemented by longer term projects of track upgrades and maintenance to ensure our rail freight network is competitive and sustainable,” Mr Brumby said. </p> <br />
