North Greenbushes-based Blueleaf Corporation has received its scheduled state government grant four years early, after being given $3.2 million to re-establish the Whittaker's timber mill in 1999.
Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan said the $3 million grant put the company in a better position to provide fixed and mobile infrastructure for the new train-loading facilities which were being added to its mill.
"The mill is adjacent to the unused North Greenbushes railway station and the yard that the State Government and local timber industry have chosen for the establishment of a new timber intermodal terminal," the Minister said.
"The terminal will be the loading point for about seven million tonnes of timber freight over 10 years, which would have been transported by road."
Blueleaf was due to receive the grant in 2010, but unexpected growth in their business has seen the grant brought forward to 2006.
"Blueleaf has significantly contributed to employment in Greenbushes, well exceeding its expectations," Mr Logan said.
"The company now has a chance to further expand its business by providing loading facilities for a rail line between Greenbushes and Bunbury.
"The development of this intermodal facility will allow for the retention and revitalisation of the railway services on the Picton to North Greenbushes section of the railway."
"It will also benefit the community by reducing heavy haulage on the South West Highway between Greenbushes and Bunbury port by up to 144 road train movements a day."
The Picton to North Greenbushes section of the railway line is scheduled to be hauling woodchips by the middle of 2007.
