Upgrade work under way at CBH’s Miling site last month. Photo: CBH

CBH GROUP has had a busy few weeks, commencing work on a major upgrade of its Miling receival site while also adding seven new locomotives to its fleet.

Contractors have now mobilised at the Miling site, with works under way, and the project scheduled for completion by October, in time for harvest.

The upgrade consists of four new open bulkheads with 1.8m frames, two new auger pits and conveyor loading systems, a new dual sampling sample hut, and two 39m weighbridges including new entry, exit and marshalling areas.

Miling sits in CBH’s Kwinana North network, and works closely with the nearby Moora site.

The project significantly expands and modernises the Miling site.

The site’s capacity will double and the redesigned site layout and new equipment will improve traffic flow and streamline operations.

Benefits for growers

The upgrade was designed to address longstanding constraints at the site, and deliver improvements for growers and the broader network.

The expanded storage will help ensure the site remains open longer during peak periods, reducing pressure on growers, and limiting the need to truck grain further afield.

CBH Group area manager Luke Rushby said the improved receival infrastructure was also expected to reduce truck turnaround times by around four minutes, helping growers move grain more efficiently during harvest.

“A redesigned site layout will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance safety, while modern loading systems will minimise double handling and improve overall operational performance,” Mr Rushby said.

“The increased capacity and improved efficiency will support a stronger supply chain across the Kwinana Zone, reducing reliance on harvest-time road freight and helping grain move more efficiently from site to port.”

CBH Group head of network planning Nelson Aylmore said the Miling upgrade was part of the company’s broader network plan targeting improvements in capacity, efficiency and grower service across the network.

“Projects like this are about increasing network capacity and service and making harvest more efficient for growers,” Mr Aylmore said.
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“By investing in sites like Miling, we’re ensuring our network keeps pace with production and continues to deliver reliable, efficient service for growers now and into the future.”

More locos arrives

Earlier this month, CBH Group announced it had received a major addition to its rail fleet, taking possession of seven new narrow‑gauge locomotives.

The locomotives arrived in early April from Wabtec Corporation Contagem manufacturing facility in Brazil.

Following arrival at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, north of Kwinana, all seven have now been transported to Aurizon’s Forrestfield yard, where commissioning works are under way.

The arrivals bring the total number of new narrow-gauge locomotives in Australia to 10 following the delivery of three in January.

In a post to social media, the company said the locomotives were “an exciting milestone” in its ongoing fleet expansion.

CBH Group also reported that the first live operational trials of the three initial locomotives on the WA freight rail network had been successfully completed.

“Three locomotives undertook test runs through the South West, operating to Coolup, Pinjarra and Wellard to validate performance under real-world conditions,” the post said.

“We’re pleased to report the trials were a success, with those locomotives now relocated to Avon for follow up works.”

Source: CBH Group