A RIVERINA freight terminal is on track to becoming one of the busiest freight hubs in New South Wales with Riverina industries set to capitalise on improved export capabilities.
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The Western Riverina Intermodal Freight Terminal (WRIFT), at Wumbulgal, is the newest and largest hub for the region currently providing the lowest cost pathway for export.
The site currently handles 500,000 tonnes of produce each year with an increase to one million tonnes expected.
Managing director of Grain Link, Paul Pearsall, said the terminal provides a more efficient path to export offering shared freight and logistics savings, which benefits local businesses and producers.
“The shared freight and logistics savings will be achieved across multiple agricultural products and commodities benefiting not only local businesses, but all primary producers in the western Riverina region,” he said.
The terminal’s current capabilities will be expanded with the addition of LINX (formerly Patrick's), which will see 34,000 fewer truck movements per year, create new jobs, deliver lower freight costs and improve export opportunities.
“If we are able to concentrate all the western Riverina container business into Wumbulgal it will definitely be the busiest freight hub in the Riverina and possibly NSW or Australia,” Mr Pearsal said.
“The relocation of LINX from the Griffith CBD will deliver a corporate business partners with a national and international reach that has an Australia-wide footprint.
“[It’s] integral to the success of WRIFT,”
Mr Pearsal said the relocation of the LINX terminal will present Griffith with a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to develop the region’s export potential and improve road safety by removing trucks from the CBD.
Business Chamber President Paul Pierotti welcomes the relocation of LINX and said the state and federal government should assist in getting more freight onto rail.
Mr Pierotti said direct and affordable freight for overseas transport will open new opportunities for food and fibre in the region.