GrainGrowers has developed a National Grain Freight Strategy as a practical roadmap for government to help drive Australia’s global competitiveness.  

The ARA’s General Manager – Freight and Heavy Haul, Georgia Nicholls, attended the launch of the strategy last Friday 7 June in Sydney, and presented on a panel alongside Wimmera grower Ryan Milgate, GrainCorp’s Sean Barker, Executive Director of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association Rachel Smith and GrainGrowers GM Policy and Advocacy Zachary Whale. Georgia was also interviewed by ABC Radio’s NSW Country Hour program while at the launch. 

The strategy is designed to increase the productivity and efficiency of the supply chain, driving down costs and delivering savings for Australian growers. 

GrainGrowers, the association representing growers, consulted the ARA in the development of the commodity specific strategy, which includes a focus on interoperability, harmonisation, rollingstock access and available above-rail freight capacity, especially in metropolitan areas. 

Behind coal and iron ore, grain is the biggest commodity by volume regularly transported via rail across Australia. Whether it be to domestic processing and feedlots, or to port for the international market, growing crop sizes and strong demand mean the opportunity for rail to play a greater role in the transport of one of Australia’s strongest agricultural markets is significant. 

GrainGrowers Australia has heard consistently from farmers that reliability, efficiency and cost of supply chain and logistics is one of their top priorities beyond the farm gate.