The Victorian government has announced an upgrade to a freight rail terminal that will result in more trucks being take off the state’s regional roads.
The grain terminal will be connected to rail for the first time in 30 years, taking trucks off regional roads.
The Barnes Junction terminal will be connected to rail, with the site just 15km north of Echuca allowing the state to move more grain to port and reduce reliance on trucks in regional settings.
Victorian ports and freight minister Melissa Horne visited the new terminal that will soon see freight trains moving bulk grain for domestic and export markets.
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A four-kilometre section of the previously closed Moulamein Line will allow the new terminal to begin operating following a $10 million upgrade of the Echuca-Barnes-Deniliquin freight corridor completed in late 2023.
Down the line, the construction of a hardstand will allow loading of containerised goods from the region to also be moved south by rail.
The state government says the Barnes upgrade is a boost to Victoria’s freight rail system.
“It’s pleasing to see the progress at this new terminal, which is going to deliver more freight on rail – a win for farmers, operators and regional producers,” Horne says.
“As the first new grain terminal connected to the state’s rail freight network in 30 years, this is a significant milestone and there are more to come which will grow rail-freight volumes from paddock to port.’’
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