Statement: New maintenance depot to keep rail freight's wheels turning

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/8370-new-maintenance-depot-to-keep-rail-freight-s-wheels-turning.html

New maintenance depot to keep rail freight's wheels turning
Friday, 08 November 2013

A new $14.6 million rail freight wagon maintenance terminal and sidings will support Victoria's push for a strong freight and logistics sector and is a boost for economic activity in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder welcomed the completion of the project, delivered on behalf of the Victorian Coalition Government, to relocate rail operations from the Melbourne yards to the McIntyre sidings in North Sunshine.

"The works carried out to relocate the rail freight maintenance depot by one of Australia's leading infrastructure construction firms, Downer EDI has meant a boost to economic activity, while the ongoing operations of the tenant secures jobs in Melbourne's west," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said VicTrack managed the works that included the installation of a new wagon maintenance crane and canopy, track works, a hardstand area and turning circle, buildings, fencing, line marking and pathways.

"The project has delivered a state-of-the-art terminal and sidings for G&V Equipment Maintenance Services Pty Ltd," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said that Regional Rail Link works required close collaboration between government bodies and the private sector to find an alternative site for rail freight operations.

"The Coalition Government worked closely with the then Department of Transport and the Regional Rail Link Authority to ensure funding was secured to maintain rail maintenance operations," Mr Mulder said.

"The Regional Rail Link project required possession of the creek sidings in the Melbourne yards to make room for track works."

Touring the site yesterday, Member for Western Metropolitan Region Bernie Finn said the industrial areas of the western suburbs were ideal to support economic activity to maintain and build the freight sector.

"Melbourne's western suburbs are ideally situated with key connections to the interstate and intrastate rail networks and with key industrial precincts like the North Sunshine industrial area," Mr Finn said.

"Located on the main standard gauge line to Seymour and within the North Sunshine industrial precinct, the location is an ideal site for rail maintenance operations."

Mr Finn welcomed the Coalition Government's investment which had created economic activity during the project and ongoing employment with the relocation of the rail freight maintenance business.

"The project in North Sunshine has provided a boost for local businesses and shops, and with the relocation of G&V's operations from West Melbourne this economic stimulus will be ongoing," Mr Finn said.

"The freight and logistics sector is a critical foundation for the state's economy, accounting for 15 per cent of the State's economic wealth."

Graham McGregor, Director of G&V Equipment Maintenance Services Pty Ltd, said he was excited by the opportunity to grow maintenance work at the site.

"We are also negotiating with CF Rail services with a view to it investing in the facility to create a workshop and expand the customer base, creating more local jobs and training opportunities for existing staff," Mr McGregor said.

"The new facility provides a great platform to build the business for the future benefit of the rail industry."