More change in store for grain

["Lineman" <grime@dcsi.net.au>]

In the Weekly Times Oct 20,1999
Queensland bulk handler and marketer,Grainco Australia Limited,began
spending tens of millions of dollars on a terminal in the port of Melbourne
and storage facilities in NSW and just weeks ago,Nullawil in Victoria.
The new state of the art bulk handling facilities are threatening some of
the ageing silos of Vicgrains network.
The Victorian bulk handler earmarked about 71 silos for sale or closure in
July because the cost of upgrading them out weighed acceptable returns on
the investment.
Victoria appears to be heading towards a handling network comprising a small
number of modern throughput facilities fed by road trucks carrying grain
greater distances from farms to storages.
Freight Victoria grain business manager terry Roche says the most efficient
use of the rail system is in blocks of 20 or 40 wagons operating 24 hours
around the clock.
NSW bulk handler GrainCorp employs multi-skilled drivers to run trains on
branch lines in that state but also helps with filling grain wagons.

Lineman