Milestone achieved in development of proposed RiFL Hub

Published: 05 Apr 2017 3:23pm

The Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub has taken an important step forward today with the City of Wagga Wagga and Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA) signing a Framework Agreement.

The Framework Agreement establishes a sound legal and commercial platform between the parties for Stage 2 of the RiFL Hub Project. Stage 2 includes the construction of a new intermodal freight terminal at Bomen Business Park.  

“This is an important milestone towards making the RiFL Hub a reality,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said.

“The RiFL Hub Project has the ability to transform our local economy and the signing of the Framework Agreement is the culmination of many months of hard work.

“We look forward to continuing to work with GWA on this exciting infrastructure project.”

Council resolved to sign the Framework Agreement at an Extraordinary Council Meeting on Monday night.

“GWA welcomes the certainty that the Framework Agreement provides at a critical stage in the development of Stage 2 of the RiFL Hub Project,” GWA Acting Managing Director Dave Brown said.

“With this important milestone achieved, GWA looks forward to advancing the development work required to position the RiFL Hub to be a commercial and economic success, including detailed engagement with customers.

“We look forward to working closely with the City of Wagga Wagga on the next phase of Stage 2.”

It is anticipated that Council will make a final decision on its support for the project when the Project Delivery Deed is tabled before Council later in the year. The City of Wagga Wagga will also undertake an economic appraisal to confirm the RiFL Hub Project delivers positive economic benefits to the region.

Stage 1 of the RiFL Project is currently underway through the Bomen Enabling Roads project, which has been progressing well and will create a high productivity freight route between the Sturt and Olympic Highways.

Stage 2 of the project involves the construction of an intermodal terminal facility at Bomen Business Park and new rail infrastructure which will connect the terminal to the ARTC mainline allowing for freight movement to and from Sydney and Melbourne.

About Genesee & Wyoming Australia

Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA) was appointed as the City of Wagga Wagga’s preferred proponent for the RiFL Hub in September 2015. GWA is jointly owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA).  

G&W is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with A$5.5 billion market capitalisation. It owns or leases 122 railroads worldwide spanning four continents and 10 countries with 26,000 track kilometres and 7300 people. MIRA is a division of Macquarie Group Limited and is the world’s largest infrastructure investor with $A139 billion in assets under management. MIRA has invested in more than 180 infrastructure businesses across 26 countries.

RiFL Hub Project

Stage One: Bomen Enabling Roads

The creation of the Wagga Wagga High Productivity Freight Route between the Sturt Highway and the Olympic Highway via Bomen consists of:

  • Construction of a grade-separated underpass of the Main Southern Railway Line (located near the western point of East Bomen Road) also to enable Higher Productivity Vehicles (HPVs) access
  • The closure of the Dampier Street level crossing at Bomen
  • The associated road works to allow the underpass construction including a heavy vehicle intersection near East Bomen Road
  • The construction of a link road connecting the existing Bomen Business Park to the underpass running north from the Bomen Road intersection of Dampier Street along the disused stock rail sidings
  • A heavy vehicle link between the eastern side of the main rail line to the Olympic Highway
  • The replacement of Eunony Bridge to lift the current General Mass Limit (GML) restriction and enable Higher Productivity Vehicles (HPVs) access (currently out to tender)
  • Land acquisitions
  • Eunony Bridge Road Deviation Project (completed)

Stage Two: RiFL Hub (subject to negotiations)

The rail infrastructure and terminals consist of:

  • Installation of turnouts off the Main Southern Railway Line to facilitate the construction of the proposed RiFL Hub Master Siding
  • Rail infrastructure, including a master siding servicing the terminal/s
  • Intermodal terminal for the transfer of containers between road and rail transport