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After a lengthy wait, the Victorian Government have responded to questions raised by the Rail Revival Alliance regarding the Murray Basin project's impact on Maryborough's rail infrastructure.
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Q: What consultation has been undertaken regarding plans for the Maryborough rail yards?
A: The scope of the project for the Mildura and Maryborough–Ararat lines has been developed by V/Line to reflect the requirements of the Murray Basin Rail Project (MBRP) Business Case and in consultation with key freight and logistics stakeholders including Pacific National and GrainCorp. The Department, PTV and V/Line are continuing consultation with key stakeholders in the freight, supply and logistics industry, associated local councils and advocacy groups as the MBRP is delivered.
Q: As part of the MBRP what rail infrastructure will be retained at Maryborough rail yards?
A: Road No's 1, 3 (extended by utilising part of road No 2), 5 and 7 will be retained. No 1 road will be retained for dual gauge operations The Maryborough yard will have a crossing loop and the ability to stage a train consist of two locomotives and forty grain wagons at the same time.
Q:Will the reconfiguration of rail infrastructure at Maryborough rail yards impact rail freight operations?
A: As mentioned above, the scope of the project for the Mildura and Maryborough–Ararat lines has been developed by V/Line to reflect the requirements of the Business Case and in consultation with key freight and logistics stakeholders including Pacific National and GrainCorp. V/Line will continue to work with freight operators to ensure rail freight continues to be efficiently railed across the MBRP network.
Q: Will the dual gauge platform access remain?
A: No 1 road will be retained for dual gauge operations
Q: Will the project remove the passing loops at Maryborough Station?
A: No, the crossing loop at Maryborough rail yards will be retained.
Q: What is planned for the Castlemaine (via Moolort) rail turn out?
A: The Castlemaine – Moorlort junction will not be retained as it is not part of the Murray Basin Rail Project scope. Any future use of this line would need to be independently assessed as there are no current plans to reopen this line. Future works to reopen this line is not being constrained by the MBRP works. Any future connections to the disused Maryborough–Castlemaine broad-gauge line would require the line to be upgraded to conform with existing standards.
Q: Will signalling infrastructure be altered at Maryborough rail yards?
A: Rail signalling infrastructure at Maryborough rail yards will accommodate the existing broad gauge and the new standard gauge operations.
Q: What is planned for rail infrastructure at Dunolly?
A: Works at Dunolly include the retention of Roads 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. No 4 road on the down side of the weigh bridge will not be retained as it is not required. Its current use indicates that operationally the line is not required as a crippled grain wagon has been sitting on this road for some years. The crossing loop at Dunolly will accommodate existing train lengths. The existing SG track [Siding 8] is not planned to be refurbished as GrainCorp have indicated that grain loading will not occur on this track.
Q: When will works be tendered?
A: The tender for the design and construction of stages two and three of the Murray Basin Rail Project has been released to market and is open until Friday 3 February at tenders.vic.gov.au.