Press Release

GIG PLAN WAS SERIOUSLY FLAWED - PGA

Facts revealed in a federal report on WA’s grain freight rail network, fully vindicated the position taken by WA’s Pastoralists and Graziers’ Association, Grains Chairman Rick Wilson said today.

“PGA attracted public hostility for opposing the claims of vested rail interests in WA that the GIG report was a viable solution to retaining the narrow gauge rail freight system.”

“Patching up the narrow gauge system was not a viable option - as the Federal Government’s independent review has clearly shown.”

“The task now is for the Strategic Grain Network Committee appointed by State Transport Minister Simon O’Brien with the full support of the PGA, to give us a viable and effective blueprint for rural transport for the next 50 years,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Federal Government can then be called upon for a promised interim contribution of $135 million before addressing an ultimate funding amount of up to $1.5 billion to provide a properly integrated rail and road freight infrastructure for WA.”