Murray Now

Grain, pulp & paper, forest resources, processed foods, pet food, wine, manufacturing, quarry products, fertilser and transport service providers are representative of many businesses and industry located in the Murray region.

With the establishment of the Ettamogah Rail Hub in June 2009 these services now have access to a leading edge regional intermodal road-rail transport facility, providing an important link to other hubs and port facilities in south east Australia.

The Hub offers direct access to the standard gauge railway line between Sydney and Melbourne, with road access to the Hume Freeway (part of the National Highway). With a capacity of over 20,000 containers per annum and access to regular train services, the Ettamogah rail hub aims to be the most efficient and cost-effective operation of its type in regional Australia.

Ettamogah rail hub has also established an industrial park adjacent to the rail platform that consists of three leveled and compacted sites/pads; one at 10,000 square metres and two at 30,000 square metres respectively. These sites are available for warehousing, manufacturing or processing facilities. Each has direct sealed road access to the rail siding, ideal for businesses that wish to be located on the main Melbourne – Sydney rail line as well as have convenient access to the Hume Freeway.

Phil Clements, General Manager of the Ettamogah Rail Hub explains, “Albury City’s intentions to establish the Albury Industrial Hub precinct surrounding our existing site will allow plenty of scope for other businesses to relocate or establish themselves close to the rail hub”. The development of the industrial hub precinct is expected to generate investment of up to $500M and 2-3,000 jobs over the next 10 years.

Albury City recently secured $1.72M in funding from the NSW State Governments Infrastructure Fund for the sealing of the existing gravel Interchange road which links the rail hub to the Olympic Way. The road will be constructed to B-Double standard with works expected to be finalised by the end of 2010.

“Ettamogah Rail Hub’s focus is on flexible and innovative business development that will encourage new businesses to locate themselves on a site that will enable them to take advantage of the anticipated growth in rail transport over the coming years,” Phil Clements says.
Hub related services are available for:

• Industries that use or want to use, rail to deliver raw materials or finished goods;

• Local road-transport operators developing cost-effective road and logistics models;

• Companies wanting to value-add to their range of services by providing a total supply chain solution;

• Customers of freight services that require a range of transport choices and value-add freight information services.

The greater Albury Wodonga region is a major freight generator and the Ettamogah Rail Hub is strategically located to provide rail based services to this entire region. It will combine the flexibility of road transport with the efficiencies that are possible with rail transport.

If your business is interested in warehouse site availability or has any other queries in relation to rail freight issues, please contact the General Manager, Phil Clements pandac@bigpond.net.au