Murray MP Helen Dalton called the investment a “major win” for producers. Photo: Supplied.
The Riverina is set to receive a boost to freight efficiency and regional supply chains, through the construction of a new rail siding at Wumbulgal.
A rail siding is a secondary track that branches off a main railway line and is used for storing rolling stock, loading and unloading freight and allowing trains to pass each other.
The State Government’s $13 million investment will be used to deliver a 1500 metre, multi-user rail siding between Griffith and Leeton, which will improve reliability for freight and passenger services across the region.
The siding will allow trains up to 1.5 kilometres long to load, park or pass others without disrupting the main line – boosting capacity and improving efficiency on the track between Coolamon and Griffith.
Murray MP Helen Dalton called the investment a “major win” for producers in the region.
“The Wumbulgal rail siding addresses a key freight bottleneck, cutting grain loading times and stimulating investment in faster loading infrastructure,” she said.
“It’s a major win for Riverina producers and the wider regional economy.
“By improving freight capacity and reducing delays, we’re helping our local agricultural sector thrive – while taking pressure off local roads and improving safety for all motorists.”
Grain trains can take up to eight hours to load, which blocks the main line, prevents other trains from passing and reduces productivity. The new siding will address this major rail bottleneck and is designed to be accessible to any rail operator.
The upgrade also sets the groundwork for future connections into the proposed Western Riverina Connect (WR Connect) intermodal freight terminal, a project being developed by Griffith and Leeton councils.
“It’s great to see the government investing in an open access rail and road freight facility,” Mrs Dalton said.
“The siding and internodal will not only improve safety, but productivity and efficiencies in partnership with the world’s largest freight company.
“The government and MEDLOG are committing to affordable, open access to all train truck companies which is a significant improvement for business and industry in the Riverina.”
This investment builds on the State Government’s recent $60 million, 25-tonne axle-load upgrade across 174 kilometres of track between Junee and Griffith, and an $8 million, 1500 metre siding extension at Coolamon.
State Government spokesperson for Murray Bob Nanva said investing in regional infrastructure was needed to grow jobs and move goods “faster and more reliably”.
“Local businesses cannot grow without access to high-quality infrastructure such as roads and rail connections,” he said.
“That’s why projects like this are essential to delivering sustainable economic growth for regional NSW.”
