Hilltops Council is keen to meet with serious individuals and freight forwarders who are interested in using rail in the region to help build the case for reinstating the Demondrille to Maimuru Rail Line.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Duncan Gay, announced $5m in funding to re-instate the line, at Young on August 8. The money is coming from the Fixing Country Rail Pilot Program.
Council’s Administrator, Wendy Tuckerman, said there has been quite a lot of activity behind the scenes since Minister’s announcement, with Council now able to undertake serious talks this week with several groups who have expressed strong interest in moving freight on the line.
“Even though we have already identified several potential above rail operators Council is very keen to hear from anyone else who thinks they have the capacity to deliver a rail service for the region,” she said.
“In building the case for the re-opening of the line we also need to identify freight which could benefit from the cheaper transport costs that a rail service can deliver and invite people to approach us directly to discuss their ideas for rail.”
“We are very grateful to the Minister for the announced investment in our region and see the funding for the Demondrille to Maimuru line as Stage 1 of Government investment leading over time to the full re-opening of the 199-kilometre line from Demondrille to Blayney.”
Wendy said Council and other stakeholders are optimistic Government’s faith in the Demondrille to Maimuru line will bring big rewards to the region in terms of additional investment and economic growth opportunities.
