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The Victorian State Government has committed $3.5 million to upgrades to the Maryvale rail siding in Gippsland to ensure products from Australian Paper’s Gippsland mill will continue to be sent by rail for years to come. Source: Timberiz
Sleepers and ballasts will be replaced, and ground resurfacing work will take place as part of the upgrade, which will make it more efficient to access domestic and international markets.
The work will support the jobs of the 900 Gippsland residents directly employed by Australian Paper, by ensuring a frequent train from the mill can connect to the Gippsland line and run to Melbourne.
It will reduce ongoing maintenance expenditure and keep rail freight as a cost-effective option for the mill, which produces printing paper and packaging materials.
Procurement for the project will begin early next year and construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter.
“This important upgrade will ensure Victoria’s busiest regional rail freight train continues to run and will support the jobs of 900 Gippsland workers,” Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said.
“We’re keeping rail freight cost-effective and helping businesses like Australian Paper access key domestic and overseas markets.”
The work follows the installation of an automated signalling system in Morwell to help freight trains connect with the main Gippsland line, replacing manual processes and helping trains better integrate with the rest of the network.
The Maryvale siding works are part of an $83 million upgrade of critical rail freight infrastructure as part of the Government’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The investment will support the ongoing modal shift from road to rail, which is helping businesses and farmers access key domestic and international markets.
