Rail Freight Network Review

In June 2007 the Victorian Government commissioned a Rail Freight Network Review taskforce to conduct a comprehensive review of Victoria’s rail freight network and identify opportunities for future development and improvement.

The review included extensive consultation, with a call for submissions and meetings in key centres throughout regional Victoria. This ensured stakeholders and those with first hand knowledge of the industry had an opportunity to contribute.

Information on this page

• Final report
• Key recommendations
• Actions
• Media releases

---

Final report

The final report "Switchpoint: The template for rail freight to revive and thrive!" (PDF, 2 MB, 77 pp.) was submitted to the Minister for Public Transport in December 2007.

Hard copies of the report are now available. If you would like to receive this report in an accessible form, such as large print or audio, please contact the department's Public Affairs Branch on 03 9655 6000.

---

Key recommendations

The final report contained a total of 29 recommendations including

• Reduced rail access fees for grain transport
• A targeted investment program in the freight only rail network
• Standardisation of rail lines as opportunities arise and where justified
• Establishmenmt of a Rail Freight Facilitation Unit
• Continued development of regional and metroplitan intermodal hubs
• Rail regulatory reform

---

Actions

The State Government has announced a number of initiatives in response to the Rail Freight Network Review recommendations.

• Rail Freight Support Package
• Gold Line Upgrades
• Silver line Upgrades
• Portland - Maroona Upgrade

The State Government has indicated broad support for other recommendations in the report however many are long-term actions that will take planning and time to implement.

Rail Freight Support Package In February 2008 the Government announced its two year Rail Freight Support Package. The Package provides a rebate for export grain and containers transported by rail from regional Victoria to port. Gold Line Upgrades The Rail Freight Network Review taskforce termed the lines which make up a core grain network “Gold Lines” and recommended these lines as the first priority for rehabilitation. In May 2008 the State Government announced it would invest $23.7 million to upgrade the following Gold Lines: Korong Vale – Quambatook Korong Vale – Charlton Murtoua - Warracknabeal Shepparton - Tocumwal Swan Hill - Piangil Mildura - Yelta Gold Lines between Dunolly-Korong Vale and Echuca-Barnes have already been upgraded.

Silver Line Upgrades Silver Lines are high priority lines which the Rail Freight Network Review taskforce recommended should be rehabilitated pending a commitment from the grain industry to transporting grain along these lines in the long term. In October 2008 the State Government announced it would invest $38.7 million to upgrade the following silver lines: Benalla – Oaklands Quambatook – Managatang Charlton – Sealake Ouyen - Pinaroo

Portland-Maroona Upgrade The Portland to Maroona line was identified as a Gold Line and recommended for rehabilitation in 2010-2011. In July 2009, the line was leased to the Australian Rail Track Corporation which has now upgraded it to 80 km/h freight train operation.

---