Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson has welcomed the announcement of $6.5 million in funding for two projects in her electorate as part of the State Government’s $15 million Fixing Country Rail pilot program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“I am really pleased Hilltops Council has been granted $5 million toward the reinstatement of the Maimuru to Demondrille railway line, a 56 kilometre section of the Cowra lines network, which will provide a much-needed connection to the Main South Line,” she said.
“This is a terrific step in the right direction after the track was closed by the previous Labor state government in August 2009.
“It is thanks to the hard work of the community, including the former councillors of Young, Harden and Boorowa councils, as well as councillors from Weddin, Blayney and Cowra shires that we are welcoming one-third of the total statewide funding available for this important project.”
CENTROC Chair Bill West says the announcement puts the onus on local councils to attract industry to use the line.
It's quite exciting," Cr West said.
"It puts more pressure on us now to try to attract industry to use the line.
"We'd hate to see a line re-opened and sit idle for two years and be closed because no one wants to use it.
"I think the ball is firmly in the court of the councils to continue to look for industry across the region to use the line or at least flag that they are interested.
"There is a lot of freight out there that can be put on rail and should be put on rail.
"It's a great announcement but one we need to work hard on.
"The minister did say he wasn't going to give up and go gardening and he hasn't," Cr West said of Duncan Gay involvement in the decision.
Ms Hodgkinson said up to $1.5 million will also be invested through Graincorp at Barellan to upgrade the rail siding to accommodate longer trains and complement an upgrade to the rail loader.
This project will make the loading of grain trains faster and save producers approximately $4 a tonne in freight costs.
“We want to ensure country NSW is able to move freight between farms, grain silos, saleyards, rail heads, supermarket distribution centres and depots in a timely manner, and this is a big-step forward in this regard,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
A total of 10 projects across NSW will receive a share of $15 million under the Fixing Country Rail pilot program.
