Rail Freight Alliance and Fischer Welcome Mildura Rail Funding

Rail Freight Alliance Chair, Cr Mark Byatt welcomed the 220 million dollar commitment from the State Government to the Mildura Line. “This is great news for the State of Victoria, and particularly regional Victoria; the Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight Development have long advocated for up-grades to this line and this is an outstanding outcome” he said. Cr Byatt did stress however, that this is really just the beginning for investment in rail infrastructure to support the movement of more freight on rail”.

This is an important investment in rail infrastructure for Western Victoria; with the first stage of the project beginning on the Hopetoun and Mildura line, which is estimated to cost 41 million dollars; and the complete project eventually being completed by 2018. Many thousands of tons of product need to be transported from this region, and the impact and cost to the local and state road networks has been enormous.

Mr Tim Fischer contacted the Alliance soon after the announcement was made to congratulate the Alliance for its ongoing advocacy for rail freight development. Mr Fischer, a great supporter of the Rail Freight Alliance said “strategic regional rail infrastructure gold!”

Deputy (and the Inaugural) Chair of the Rail Alliance, Cr Geoff White stated that, “this project has been on the agenda since we first formed in 1997”, he joined many of his Councillor colleagues along the Mildura line corridor in welcoming the funding.

“A world class rail link to ports is vital if any region is to prosper, and this commitment will assist in securing a prosperous future to this region”, Cr Byatt said. “This project will take up to 4 years to complete and with a State Government election in November, the Alliance is calling on the opposition to support this project as well. A significant milestone has been achieved, and the Alliance will continue to advocate for Rail Freight Improvements across the state” Cr Byatt said.