The NSW Government has awarded a $13 million contract for the construction of a new rail siding at Wumbulgal in the Riverina to help boost freight efficiency and strengthen regional supply chains.
The project will deliver a 1,500-metre, multi-user rail siding between Griffith and Leeton – a major step forward in improving reliability for both freight and passenger services across the region.
Designed to be accessible to any rail operator, the new siding will address a major rail bottleneck where grain trains can currently take up to eight hours to load, blocking the main line and preventing other trains from passing.
The siding will allow trains up to 1.5 kilometres long to load, park or pass others without disrupting the main line – boosting capacity and improving efficiency on the track section between Coolamon and Griffith.
Laing O’Rourke has been engaged to construct the new siding, with work set to begin this month.
“Modern, efficient rail infrastructure like this siding at Wumbulgal means better outcomes for farmers, businesses and communities, and the Minns Labor Government is committed to strengthening regional freight networks now and into the future,” said Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison.
“This investment is part of our wider commitment to regional transport infrastructure – reducing bottlenecks, unlocking economic potential, and supporting jobs and industry across the Riverina.
“Through our RNEW Program, we’re planning for the future – with smarter, more strategic investment to ensure regional rail keeps pace with the needs of modern freight, agriculture and passenger services.”
The upgrade also sets the groundwork for future connection into the proposed Western Riverina Connect (WR Connect) intermodal freight terminal, a project being developed by Griffith and Leeton councils.
The funding announcement builds on the NSW Government’s recent $60 million, 25-tonne axle-load upgrade across 174 kilometres of track between Junee and Griffith, and an $8 million 1,500-metre siding extension at Coolamon.
