Rail infrastructure in Western Australia’s South West is expected to receive a boost, with about six major upgrade projects in play.
Rail infrastructure in Western Australia’s South West is expected to receive a boost, with about six major upgrade projects in play.
The South West Development Commission, Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance, Bunbury Port Authority and The Chamber of Minerals & Energy WA have joined forces to present a business case to Infrastructure Australia for investment in Bunbury port-linked infrastructure.
South West Development Commission chairman Stephen Harrison said the report pinpointed a number of projects that would help secure the future prosperity of the region.
“It’s clear that our infrastructure is not keeping pace with the demands currently being placed on it and this report will help us secure the funding required for vital upgrades,” he said.
Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance chief executive Matt Granger said a duplication of the rail line between Brunswick Junction and the Bunbury Port was the key rail project in this package.
“This section of the South West main line has been recognised as a significant bottleneck for growth in the South West. It currently handles around 10 million tonnes per annum of alumina and caustic soda between three alumina refineries and the Bunbury Port, plus a passenger rail service,” he said.
The finalisation of the Rail Access Agreement for the $3.5 billion Perdaman Collie Urea Project last month will result in two million tones of urea a year being transported from the plant site near Collie to Bunbury Port.
In addition, Mr Granger said the $750 million acquisition of Griffin Coal by Lanco Infratech earlier this month would place more pressure on this section of line because of Lanco’s intention to ramp-up coal production for export.
Meanwhile, Canadian-owned WestNet Rail started works in September on the Eastern Goldfields Freight Gateway Project, replacing a section of track from Koolyanobbing and Kalgoorlie.
The $80 million upgrade will take 12 to 18 months to complete and will involve the replacement of 185 kilometres of rail to ease congestion.
To support Mid West iron ore miners, WestNet Rail has focused on upgrading the section of rail from Mullewa to Narngulu, which is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete.
Works on Stage Two of the $100 million Esperance Line Upgrade are also under way, which will support Cliffs Natural Resources iron ore operations from Koolyanobbing through to Esperance Port.
In November, the state government pledged $178.8 million, which brings the total investment in the grain road and rail network to $352 million over four years.
Funding will go towards the re-sleepering of 1,200km of tier one and tier two rail dedicated to grain, which is expected to be completed over the next three to four years.
