MINISTER for Public Transport Terry Mulder has announced that the government will shortly reopen the 66 kilometre Dimboola to Rainbow section of the Yaapeet rail line, allowing a further 120,000 tonnes of Victorian grain to be transported by rail from early 2012.
“Through a total $6.3 million investment, the Coalition Government and GrainCorp are working together to secure the reopening of a long section of the former Dimboola to Yaapeet rail line,” Mr Mulder said.
“This is great news for grain growers and the future of rail freight in Victoria. It will lower the cost of transporting grain.
“The Coalition Government is growing freight on rail in Victoria. Earlier this year, the Government temporarily reopened the Echuca to Toolamba line to allow freight trains to be diverted.
“GrainCorp has agreed to contribute more than $1 million to the $6.3 million rail upgrading project. GrainCorp recognises the value and efficiency of moving grain by rail.
“GrainCorp will also upgrade its grain handling site at Rainbow with an investment of up to $2 million. This will ensure that both grain trains loading grain and farmers’ trucks unloading grain can turn around more quickly. The improvements will help to carry 120,000 tonnes of
grain expected to be harvested within the catchment area of the Dimboola to Rainbow line during the 2011-12 season.
“The Department of Transport is providing up to $3.6 million. Regional Development Victoria will contribute a further $1.7 million from the Coalition Government’s Regional Growth Fund,” Mr Mulder said.
V/Line will shortly commence upgrading the line with completion by the end of 2011.
“The Yaapeet line was last used to regularly haul grain in 2006, although it was temporarily reopened in 2010. The condition of the line deteriorated in recent years. Further damage occurred in the floods earlier this year.
While the Coalition Government will be retaining the
17 kilometre section of track from Rainbow to Yaapeet, it will not be reopened at this time,” Mr Mulder said.
