Over 300 of the State’s primary producers and industry representatives met earlier this week in Bruce Rock for the Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) Merredin Zone Grain Transport Forum, where concerns were raised over the prospect of railway line closures.

The meeting was convened following the release of the Strategic Grain Network Committee (SGNC) Report which examined the State’s narrow gauge rail network’s future viability. The network is currently used to transport the majority of the State’s grain harvest to port.

WAFarmers Merredin Zone President, Ian Lane, noted that Forum attendees raised significant concerns with elements of the SGNC Report.

“The Forum attendees believed that in many instances, particularly in relation to the so called ‘Brookton Solution’, the Report did not make economic, environmental, social or practical sense,” said Mr Lane.

“The WAFarmers Merredin Zone does not believe that the Report adequately considers the social costs that would emanate from the closure of railway lines.

“Such closures would require significant quantities of grain to be transported by ill equipped roads, putting motorists and the community at risk.

“Furthermore, the WAFarmers Merredin Zone believes that the Report underestimates the investment that would be required to bring ill equipped roads, such as the Bruce Rock - Doodlakine Road, up to an acceptable standard.”

The Forum attendees also noted the omission of the York - Quairading Road in the SGNC Report.

“The Reports exclusion of the York - Quairading Road, and the work that would need to be undertaken on this road, is deeply concerning to the WAFarmers Merredin Zone, as this road would become a main truck route in the event of any rail closures in the South Kwinana Zone.”

“The WAFarmers Merredin Zone is calling on the State Government and Industry to re-examine the figures used in the Report.

“The WAFarmers Merredin Zone is of the view that, with adequate consideration of all social, environmental, economical and practical elements, the continuance of the narrow gauge rail network would be the only sensible outcome,” concluded Mr Lane.