The Riverina region of NSW, where much of the state's fresh produce is grown, is on track for a boost to its rail infrastructure.
Vaughan Constructions has won the contract to master-plan and develop two regional rail hubs and a business park for joint venture partners Colin Rees Group and Amberly Management.
The Ettamogah Rail Hub, located near Albury in Southern NSW, and Widgelli Rail Hub and Business Park, near Griffith, NSW are strategically located to support over 500kms of rail branch lines throughout the Riverina.
Ettamogah Rail Hub will yield over 45,000 square metres of warehouse space for lease, and the first stage of development at Widgelli will include the design and construction of a new rail hub, rail sidings and warehouse space, hardstands and road networks.
Although it's known for grapes, and tomatoes, the Riverina also accounts for 96 per cent of the total value of the NSW’s carrots, 74 per cent of the state’s oranges, 59 per cent of the state’s apples and nearly half of the state’s rice production, according to the Australian Government Department of Agriculture. Investment in rail and rail associated infrastructure, however, has lagged.
“We know that production costs have been squeezed to breaking point, so the focus of many producers, processors, retailers and exporters is the supply chain," Cameron Jackson, chief operating officer for the Colin Rees Group said.
"We saw a definite gap in the market. So we’ve teamed up with Morsheads and Vaughans and we’re able to offer ‘Short Line’ rail services in addition to conventional warehouse, cold storage and distribution facilities to our customers. Our Regional Connect network can get your box from anywhere in the Riverina to any eastern seaboard port and even Perth via the Junee or Cootamundra connections.”
Andrew Noble, director and general manager of Vaughan Constructions said: “The concept of bringing rail to the customer, similar to the US, is a winner. Our development partners are investing in quality assets with a long term view of the success and viability of rail.”
“It’s also likely to reinvigorate or reopen disused rail links.”
