Rural road damage to hinder grain and agricultural supplies transport
The Western Australian section of the main east-west rail corridor has reopened after floods.
While the move will be welcomed by transport and logistics firms involved in the services that use the Eastern Goldfields Railway (EGR), those involved in rural services will be less relieved.
“The EGR was reopened at 1pm yesterday afternoon, and rail traffic has resumed on that line,” line operator Brookfield Rail says.
Sections of the Great Southern Railway and two southern grain lines still remain closed.
WAFarmers CEO Stephen Brown says the flooding would have an impact on getting sold grain out in some areas, and also back loading with agricultural products such as fertiliser, lime and gypsum.
He adds that “farmers in some areas would bear additional freight costs as a result of the flooding, especially in areas where the quickest, most direct route had been cut off due to severe road damage”.
Meanwhile, the Australian and Western Australian Government haveannounced that they had activated disaster relief funding in 88 local government areas across the state.
“WARTA on behalf of the trucking industry and these affected local communities welcome the announcement of disaster relief by the Government,” WARTA Executive Officer Cam Dumensy says.
“These roads are crucial for these communities, and we hope that they will be fixed and operational as soon as possible..