Laing O'Rourke has secured a second key project with CBH Group in Western Australia, signing the contract for the Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding project.
The project is part of the first tranche of CBH Group's new railyard upgrades and offloading facilities in WA's Wheatbelt region, funded in partnership with the Western Australian and Federal Governments under the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) program.
Mark Dimmock, acting managing director of Laing O'Rourke, said: “Rail infrastructure is an important economic enabler and we are proud to be working with CBH Group to improve the offloading capabilities of the grain supply chain.”
The agri-food sector accounts for ten percent of Western Australia's economy and continues to grow. In 2022, wheat represented $5.5 billion of value to Western Australia's exports, underpinning the business case to maintain and improve a safe, efficient and productive grain handling and transport network.
Mark Fletcher, Head of Rail Operations Business Unit at Laing O'Rourke, said: “Earlier this year we signed up to deliver the Cranbrook Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Facility project in the Great Southern Region of WA, which is also part of the ASCI program is . This project is now well underway and we are pleased to extend our partnership with CBH for this second project, leveraging the expertise of our Rail Operations division.”
The Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Project is located almost 200 km north of Perth and includes the following scope:
- A new grain processing facility, including complex structural steel, mechanical and electrical work;
- New siding including switches and connection to the existing ARC infrastructure network;
- earthworks, access roads, drainage works and a new leisure building; And
- Two level crossings for service roads.
CBH Group Chief Project Delivery Officer Sam Gliddon said it was great that another rapid rail unloading and siding project had been approved.
“We are delighted to welcome Laing O’Rourke, a highly respected international construction company, as our main contractor to Moora,” said Mr Gliddon.
“The Moora rapid rail unloading and siding project consists of a new 1,440m siding running alongside a new fixed rail loading facility with six silos and a capacity of 6,600 tonnes.
“Improving the unloading capabilities of WA’s grain supply chain is a key focus for CBH and we are proud to be investing in permanent rail loading infrastructure alongside the Western Australian and Federal Government investments in siding upgrades.”
“These projects will enable CBH to reduce train loading times and move grain to port more efficiently, maximizing value for Western Australian farmers today and future generations.”
The Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Facility project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2026.
The images used are artistic impressions.