Amalie Smith, Barry Alcorn, Nigel Lotz, Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, Jim Wright, Councillor John Horton, Yass Mayor Rowena Abbey and Hilltops Mayor Brian Ingram. The group were on hand for the official opening of the new additions to the Cunningar Receival Site.
The Cunningar GrainCorp site’s grain and receival and storage facility had its grand opening on December 19, with a whole host of dignitaries on hand to unveil the multi-million dollar project. The $8.1 million upgrade saw the construction a new rail siding to allow the loading of a 44 wagon train, the building of a 1,000 tonne grain storage bin, the establishment of a 1,000tph loading chute and a new grain conveyor system.
It was undertaken primarily by Martinus Rail. Funding for the project was sourced from the Federal Government, local community, the former Harden Shire Council and GrainCorp. Federal member for Riverina, Michael McCormack was on hand to assist in the formal opening of the upgraded site. “These developments will reduce rail freight rates for the farming community, increasing the farm gate return to local growers and creating a more reliable and efficient grain facility,” according to Mr McCormack.
The project employed 132 contractors throughout its duration who, according to project manager Amalie Smith, extensively used local businesses, including accomodation, retail and hospitality. The General Manager of Operations for GrainCorp said the upgrade will remove 4000 truck journeys from the roads each year. Local farmer Barry Alcorn led a group of local growers known as the Cunningar Grain Growers Committee, in the push for the upgrade, and believes it has been well worth the wait. “Our region is one of the most reliable producers of high quality grain in Australia …
Now more than ever we have the supply chain to deliver it,” he said.
Hilltops Mayor, Brian Ingram was also present at the opening, and spoke of the importance of agriculture in his Local Government Area. “This project is an important economic driver for the entire Hilltops Region; the enhanced freight efficiencies it provides will help give our local growers a competitive edge,” according to the Mayor. The upgrade will ultimately see rail loading times reduced by 80%, and rail cycle times, from Cunningar to Port Kembla and back, cut to 24 hours, reduced from the present time frame of 48 hours.
