A GRAIN terminal at Barnes, 15km north of Echuca, will soon open to bulk rail services following a line upgrade funded by the Victorian Government.

Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne this week visited the new rail connection at the UCM Moama site at Barnes, which will soon see freight trains moving bulk grain to domestic consumers and export markets.

A 4km section of the previously closed Moulamein Line will allow for the new terminal to begin operating.

This follows a $10-million upgrade, completed in late 2023, of the Echuca-Barnes-Deniliquin freight corridor.

Plans for construction of a hardstand will eventually enable loading of containerised goods from the region to also be moved south by rail.

“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,’’ Ms Horne said.

“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.’’

The Barnes upgrade is a signal of the Victorian Government’s investment in the broad-gauge freight network.

Since 2020, the Victorian Government has invested $368M in rail freight maintenance to grow volumes on rail through targeted projects, which are delivering benefits for producers and industry, and reducing truck movements on roads.

This connection will support longer, faster, heavier trains moving more goods by rail across a more resilient network, improving reliability and efficiency for producers and operators.

V/Line is responsible for the maintenance of more than 3500km of rail track across the state, used by passenger trains and freight operators.

This includes freight-only lines from Echuca to Barnes and Deniliquin, and from Strathmerton to Tocumwal.

Source: Victorian Government