GRAINCORP announced today it had secured development approval (DA) to proceed with the $8.1 million upgrade of its grain receival and train loading facility at Cunningar in southern NSW.

The multi-million-dollar upgrade was previously announced in December 2015 as part of the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) and is expected to commence in February 2017.

GrainCorp’s general manager of storage and logistics, Nigel Lotz, welcomed the news.

“This is a major milestone in this project that will allow work to commence on time to ensure we deliver the benefits to the growers and wider region in time for next harvest,” he said.

“Over the past 12 months we have been carefully planning the project to maximise the efficiency of these upgrades while minimising disruption to the local community. I am delighted our plans have been fully approved.

“This is a community-led project with support from local grain growers and Hilltops Council that will deliver widespread benefits.”

Hilltops Council general manager, Anthony McMahon, said: “Now that the Joint Regional Planning Panel has made its determination council will continue to work closely with GrainCorp to ensure the works can commence on schedule.

“We, like GrainCorp and our growers across the region, are keen to see this important Economic driving project delivers the freight efficiencies identified as quickly as possible”, Mr McMahon said.

Summary of project benefits:

• 80pc improvement in rail train loading times
• 24-hour turnaround time to port
• 4000 truck movements per year removed from local roads
• Increased competitiveness for local grain, delivering a $10 per tonne freight benefit to growers
• Upgraded rail loading facilities and site rail infrastructure

Source: GrainCorp