WestNet Rail seeks to rationalise new WA iron ore train lines

<p>Western Australian rail operator WestNet Rail’s new iron ore transport infrastructure proposals were released on Friday (June 29). </p> <p>Babcock &#38 Brown-controlled WestNet Rail wants to merge at Mullewa the proposed rail links from Jack Hill and Weld Range in the north, Wiluna in the east and Koolanooka, and Karara and Extension Hill in the south.</p> <p>This would allow WestNet’s existing rail corridor between Mullewa and Geraldton, to be upgraded to a high axle load, double track and dual gauge configuration.</p> <p>&#8220The upgraded [Mullewa-Geraldton&#93 corridor would be complemented by a new dual gauge, double track line between [Geraldton&#93 and Oakajee and the upgrading of the narrow gauge line from Mullewa south to Morawa and, ultimately, the construction of a new narrow gauge line from Morawa to service the various projects to the south east,&#8221 WestNet said.</p> <p>&#8220Under the WestNet Rail proposal, Mullewa would become the merging point for the proposed standard gauge link from the Jack Hills and Weld Range deposits in the north of the region, the potential standard gauge link from Wiluna and the narrow gauge link from the various deposits adjacent to the existing WestNet Rail network in the south (Koolanooka, Karara and Extension Hill).&#8221</p> <p>WestNet chief executive John Cleland said the company had "a desire to work with all project proponents and other potential infrastructure providers on the development of the rail infrastructure required to link projects in the north, south and east to the existing WestNet Rail network and the proposed Port of Oakajee".</p> <br />