Council supports funding application for construction of LINX Intermodal Freight Terminal at Wumbulgal

13 Dec 2017 7:46 PM -

At its December Ordinary Council meeting, Leeton Shire Council endorsed the submission of an application for $7.5 million grant funding under the Building Better Regions Fund to accelerate and assist with the construction of a LINX Intermodal Freight Terminal at Wumbulgal.

The second round of the Federal Government Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF)– Infrastructure Projects Stream was recently announced for regional projects with a capital value of $20,000 to $10 million. The BBRF has $481.6 million available and is aimed at infrastructure projects that will create jobs, stimulate economic activity and build stronger communities in regional and remote areas. The BBRF is administered by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. The program will run from 2016/17 to 2020/21, by which time successful projects must be completed.

Leeton Shire Council’s Economic Development Coordinator Monica Armanini said in her report to Council that the BBRF Application seeks $7.5M of funding for intermodal infrastructure and one on-site warehouse. The intermodal component is planned to be operational by the end of 2018 with the first warehouse operational by 2020.

“There is no requirement for matched Council funding with Council’s contribution being through in-kind staff support only. The economic and social returns to the region will make that a very good investment indeed.”

Mayor Cr Paul Maytom said that this project will offer significant benefits including increased rail transfer capacity and efficiencies, facilitation of an intermodal shift of freight to rail, creation of new jobs, regional diversification and multi-user access.

“By delivering freight certainty, this project will drive growth across all export related sectors of the economy including agriculture and manufacturing. This will be a significant development for the Western Riverina.”

LINX Chief Executive Officer Sean Jeffries said that he was delighted to have Leeton Shire Council lead the funding application which will offer significant benefits to Leeton Shire and the wider region.  

“LINX is very pleased to be aligned with a Council like Leeton Shire that is proactive in advocating for regional growth and development. This project will help address the immediate freight capacity bottleneck at the Griffith rail terminal and meet the region’s long-term containerised rail freight requirements to facilitate exports."

The application will be submitted by Tuesday 19^th December 2017.