WestNet Rail agrees to recommence services

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said he was pleased to announce that the State Government and WestNet Rail have agreed on a way forward to guarantee grain rail operations are available on all lines for the 2009-10 year, including on the four lines previously withdrawn from service.

Mr O'Brien said that as a result of discussions with WestNet Rail, an agreement was reached that will see the newly established Strategic Grain Network Committee (SGNC) take a leading role in examining and providing advice and recommendations on the future of the State's grain rail network and the Government's possible investment in it.

"The commitment by WestNet Rail to recommence train operations whilst the SGNC assesses the sector's needs is welcome," he said.

The Minister said that the newly established committee, made up of industry representatives and headed by leading transport expert, Professor Fred Affleck, has the knowledge, expertise and experience to ensure that Western Australia's grain rail network is best placed to service the sector well into the future.

"I am confident that the SGNC will provide the Government and the sector with productive and credible recommendations before the end of 2009 that will enable all parties to constructively plan for the future," he said.

"By the end of July, the council will advise me of the full impacts of current service deficiencies and ways in which the industry and governments can work together to ensure the grain transport system can continue to do the job we all need it to do, both for immediate harvests and for the longer term. This will include looking at the line that runs from Northam to Albany.

"By the end of the year, the council will also give me additional advice about the further changes to the rail system that will be required to meet industry's medium term needs over the coming 10-15 years."

Mr O'Brien said that meeting industry's immediate and medium term needs was of fundamental importance, but so too was establishing a vision for a sustainable grain freight system in the 40-50 year long term future.