GrainCorp Limited
ACN 057 186 035
Level 26, 175 Liverpool St., Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box A268 Sydney South NSW 1235
T: 02 9325 9100 F: 02 9325 9180
http://www.graincorp.com.au
News Release
23 November 2012
Rail productivity boost for Geelong export grain terminal
GrainCorp has joined with the Victorian Government and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to
announce an injection of $5.6 million to upgrade rail infrastructure at GrainCorp’s Geelong grain terminal.
GrainCorp is contributing approximately $1.35 million up front to the project, with the balance to be funded
by government, and the ARTC. Other exporters will provide a user contribution over the next four years.
“We estimate that this project will allow up to 500 additional train movements to the port each year,”
GrainCorp General Manager, Storage & Logistics Nigel Hart said today. “This would remove the need for
approximately 20,000 truck movements around Geelong and further afield.”
Mr Hart said the project, which involves a track upgrade and removal of signalling bottlenecks, was part of
GrainCorp’s “gamechangers” program to deliver substantial improvements to rail efficiency at the port.
Benefits of the upgrade include:
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Higher weight limits allowing significantly more grain to be carried per train;
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Up to a 50% increase in the proportion of grain arriving at the port on rail;
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A substantial reduction in “tipping time”, freeing up additional capacity and increasing throughput;
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Automation of signalling to allow 24 hour rail operation at Geelong and improved ability to reduce
grain train turnaround times by 12 hours.
“This investment benefits Victorian grain growers by removing bottlenecks and giving their grain more
efficient access to international customers. It also benefits the other exporters who use the port, as it
allows capacity to be accessed more efficiently.”
Mr Hart acknowledged the Victorian government’s commitment to working with business and the grain
industry to encourage more grain onto rail – as demonstrated by its positive response to the Grain Industry
Logistics Taskforce and its support for other key rail projects around the state.
“The Victorian government has been very proactive and open to exploring ways to make Victorian grain as
competitive as possible,” Mr Hart said. “We look forward to working with them to deliver other
recommendations of the Taskforce.”
GrainCorp increased the productivity of its rail by 40% in the past 4 years. This project is an important step
in the company’s target of driving a further 40% increase to productivity.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Angus Trigg
Director, Government & Media Relations
+61 2 9325 9132
+61 413 946 708
atrigg@graincorp.com.au
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ABOUT GRAINCORP
GrainCorp is Australia’s leading agribusiness, with integrated “end-to-end” grain handling and processing
infrastructure in Australia and overseas. By connecting local and global consumers to grain growers,
GrainCorp plays an important role in the grain supply chain for the supply of wheat and flour, barley and
malt and canola and edible oils. The company:
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Handles ~75% of eastern Australia’s annual grain production through direct receivals at either our
country sites or port terminals;
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Handles ~90% of eastern Australia’s bulk grain exports;
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Markets ~35% of eastern Australia’s grain to overseas consumers and 25% to domestic consumers,
and has a growing international grain marketing platform with a presence in the UK, Europe,
Canada and Asia;
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Produces ~35% of Australia’s malt and is the world’s 4th largest commercial maltster with
international operations in Canada, the USA, the UK and Germany;
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Produces ~40% of Australia’s crude canola oil and refined edible oils, and is a leading edible oil
refiner in New Zealand;
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Imports and exports ~40% of Australasia’s edible oil through 12 bulk liquid terminals;
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Produces ~35% of Australia’s flour (through 60% interest in Allied Mills).
