Rail access to Austrlalia's busiest port gets $50 million boost
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8 September 2008
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The Federal and State Governments and the Australian Rail Track Corporation will invest $50 million to improve rail efficiency around the Port of Melbourne precinct.
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Victorian Premier John Brumby said the Port of Melbourne Rail Access Improvement Project together with the Dynon Port Rail Link Project would deliver enormous benefits for the freight industry and the Australian economy.
“With our freight task expected to double in the next 20 years, and freight volumes along this corridor expected to increase by 70 per cent, investments in rail freight are vital for the efficient movement of freight” Mr Brumby said.
“We need to invest now in the right infrastructure for the future.”
The project involves the construction of a new direct dual gauge track connection between the Dynon rail terminals and the port, and the duplication of an existing dual gauge line connecting into the port from Dock Link Road.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas said the upgrade would help to eliminate rail bottle necks and improve rail access into the Port of Melbourne for interstate and regional freight trains.
“With the Channel Deepening project progressing well and already 30 per cent complete, we need to put in place landside infrastructure to support freight movement.
“Channel deepening will improve efficiency by accommodating larger vessels; we also need to ensure the right land transport links to carry the cargo when it arrives at Port.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese said improving rail access into the Port of Melbourne was a task of national significance.
“New rail freight infrastructure gets goods to markets more efficiently, reducing operating costs and in turn reducing the costs passed onto consumers,” Mr Albanese said.
“The Port of Melbourne handles around trade worth around $75 billion every year, exporting Australian products, and importing the food, clothing and electrical goods Australian’s buy every day.
“This rail infrastructure upgrade will allow freight to move into and out of the precinct more efficiently.
“With freight volumes increasing, investments in the national rail network are vital to ensuring rail freight remains competitive and viable.”
Works will begin in early 2009 and be completed in late 2010.
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