Community
20 March, 2025
Rail identified as key for state’s grain future
RAIL has been identified as a priority to ensure the smooth delivery of grain in a newly-released study assessing the region’s supply chain.
The Allan Labor Government has welcomed the release of the Western Victoria Grain Industry Supply Chain Study final report.
The study’s findings will inform future transport network planning designed to benefit industry, and support the freight supply chain which drives the state’s $4.4 billion grain industry.
The study covered 18 Local Government Areas, including Corangamite and Moyne, to map and understand grain flows in western Victoria, as well as cross-border movements from South Australia and New South Wales, to enable freight industry efficiencies and improve the competitiveness of the grain industry.
It recommended promoting rail freight to capitalise on recent network investments, and identifies a Priority A network of key freight routes and Priority B networks of supporting routes.
“We know how important it is for farmers to have a strong supply chain to markets, which is why we’re looking at ways to improve access and efficiency to keep costs down,” Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said.
Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora said the government would continue to support the industry, which grows on 3.5 million hectares of land and is exported through ports in Portland, Geelong and Melbourne.
“We’re backing the grains industry in Victoria’s west, supporting thousands of local jobs,” she said.
Victoria accounted for 17 per cent of Australia’s $33 billion total grain exports in 2022-23, making it the third largest exporter in the nation by value and creating thousands of local jobs.
The $250,000 supply chain study was delivered through a collaboration between the Victorian Government Regional Partnership committees of Great South Coast, Wimmera Southern Mallee and Central Highlands.
The Labor Government’s $125,000 investment was funded through the Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program, which supports evidence-based transport and freight studies to inform investment decisions leading to the more efficient movement of freight at local levels.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence said investment in to strengthening the supply chain was key.
“We know how important the grain industry is, which is why we’re investing to keep the grain supply chain moving – not only now, but well into the future,” she said.
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