SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — GrainCorp has completed a A$7.96 million ($5.06 million) rail upgrade at its Condobolin grain receival facility in central-west New South Wales.

The project expanded the site’s loading capacity from 30 to 48 wagons with an additional 900 meters of siding, GrainCorp said in its April 16 announcement. Longer, heavier trains will be able to move grain faster, cutting turnaround times and supporting a shift from road to rail freight.

Located in a key grain-growing region of east Australia, the Condobolin site receives about 177,000 tonnes of grain each harvest, GrainCorp said. The upgraded siding now allows each train to carry up to 2,822 tonnes — a 35% increase in load capacity. GrainCorp stores and markets wheat, barley, canola, sorghum and specialty commodities.

Klaus Pamminger, chief operating officer for GrainCorp, said the project marks a significant step forward in improving logistics for the state’s grain industry.

“By increasing rail capacity and efficiency, we’re strengthening the grains supply chain for NSW growers and ensuring they can access critical export markets and domestic customers, especially in bigger years when flexibility is key,” Pamminger said.

A global agribusiness, GrainCorp operates the largest grain storage and handling network on the east coast of Australia, operating more than 150 regional receival sites and 20 million tonnes of storage capacity. GrainCorp also operates seven bulk port terminals with up to 15 million tonnes of elevation capacity.

The project was a collaborative effort between GrainCorp, the NSW government and the Australian Rail Track Corp. (ARTC). Funding included A$6.75 million from GrainCorp, A$1.21 million from the NSW government’s “Fixing Country Rail” program, to extend the siding by 900 meters; and A$190,000 in-kind contribution from ARTC for rail equipment.

“This is one of several recent upgrades to sites that deliver a win-win of better efficiency for NSW growers and a safer, more connected regional network,” Pamminger said. “We’re proud to have worked alongside government and industry partners to deliver this upgrade.”