The Government of Western Australia has committed A$179m to improve the efficiency of the state's ageing rail network for grain transport.
It will be matched by the federal government's allocation of A$135m, committed in the 2010-11 budget.
The programme includes A$187.9m-worth of re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on the state's major grain freight lines, and A$118.3m-worth of improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads.
The state intends to transport grains such as wheat, barley, canola, oats and lupins to ports in Geraldton, Kwinana, Albany and Esperance, where it will be exported to countries including Indonesia, Japan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The government has also provided A$14.6m in transition assistance funding to ensure rail transport remains competitive with road travel, as well as A$500,000 for a further rail study.
The state government has invested A$352m over four years to support Western Australia's grain freight network.
