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Latrobe Valley paper will continue to be sent by rail for export and distribution as key Gippsland freight service gets stimulus for Victorian government

Improvements on train tracks that will help ensure its daily runs.

By news@gippsland - 13th July 2021 - Back to News

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring Latrobe Valley paper will continue to be sent by rail for export and distribution for years to come, following significant improvement works to the Maryvale freight siding. Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said the $3 million program had enhanced the reliability of the freight service, supporting one of the region's biggest employers, the Opal Australian Paper Maryvale Mill.

Australian Paper Mills at Maryvale, the only Australian manufacturer of office, printing and packaging papers and manufactures more than 600,000 tonnes of paper annually

Ensuring daily train runs

Part of a broader $83 million investment into regional rail maintenance, the upgrade links the mill to the main Gippsland rail line, including sleeper replacements, ballast renewal, track resurfacing and mud hole removal, and yard and drainage work.

Improved track conditions will help ensure the daily trains can run from the mill before connecting to the Gippsland line and continuing to Melbourne. The works will also assist with the ongoing upkeep of the line and improve the safety and reliability of the siding for freight services.

The Maryvale mill opened in Gippsland in 1937 and has since grown to employ 850 people, manufacturing close to 600,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard annually, with over half transported by train.

Improving level crossing safety

The work follows the installation of an automated signalling system in Morwell last year to help freight trains from the mill connect with the main Gippsland line, replacing manual processes and assisting trains to better integrate with the rest of the network.

With this maintenance program nearing completion across regional Victoria, the stimulus works have seen more than 120,000 sleepers replaced on the rail tracks between Sea Lake and Dunolly, making it faster and easier for freight operators to transport goods.

The program's final project will see a $7.3 million investment to improve level crossing safety by replacing rail infrastructure and equipment at six-level crossings across the state, including installing state-of-art axle counters and computer-based interlocking equipment.

Ensuring reliable operation

Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said, "These important works will help ensure one of Victoria's busiest regional rail freight trains can continue to operate a frequent and reliable service now and into the future. We have already delivered more than $75 million in vital regional rail upgrades under this package, improving freight connectivity and bolstering support for regional producers."

Support local jobs

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "The Maryvale mill supports hundreds of direct jobs across the Latrobe Valley, and this investment to improve its operations, freight, and connectivity to the Gippsland line will improve efficiencies for years to come."

"From our smallest primary producers to our largest exporters, rail freight plays a vital role in the industries that are central to productivity, prosperity, and economic growth across the region."

Pictures from Australian Paper Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  One Gippsland hosted European partners for a five-day Gippsland visit, exploring energy diversification, regional development, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, agriculture and collaboration between Australian and European regions.
• Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
  The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• Heyfield childcare faces closure after losing federal funding, putting local families, educators and essential community services at risk
  Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access.
• Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
  Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies.
• Darren Chester congratulates Gippsland Agricultural Group on successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale
  Darren Chester has praised the successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale, highlighting industry collaboration, innovation, productivity and the need to reduce red tape for farming families.
• Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
  Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain.
• Celebrate the Lakes event highlighting Gippsland Lakes diversity and environmental projects protecting vital local ecosystems
  The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will host Celebrate the Lakes at Eagle Point, showcasing Gippsland Lakes biodiversity, environmental projects and community efforts protecting local waterways, wetlands and wildlife.