Condobolin rail upgrade fast-tracks NSW grain

(Posted on 25/04/25)

GrainCorp’s rail site at Condobolin, in the heart of central west New South Wales, Australia, has received a $7.96 million upgrade to boost grain freight efficiency.

The rail siding upgrade on site has expanded the site’s loading capacity from 30 to 48 wagons, allowing longer, heavier trains to move more grain, faster – cutting turnaround times and supporting a shift from road to rail freight.

For local communities in the Condobolin region, the project is set to ease pressure on local roads by reducing truck movements, and for growers, this means a safer, stronger supply chain for their grain.

GrainCorp Chief Operating Officer, Klaus Pamminger, said the project marks a significant step forward in improving logistics for the state’s grain industry.

“By increasing rail capacity and efficiency, we’re strengthening the grains supply chain for NSW growers and ensuring they can access critical export markets and domestic customers, especially in bigger years when flexibility is key.”

“Faster train cycles mean we can move grain to port more quickly, and increasing capacity and reducing turnaround times strengthens the entire supply chain with more efficient and cost-effective transport.”

“This is one of several recent upgrades to sites that deliver a win-win of better efficiency for NSW growers and a safer, more connected regional network. We’re proud to have worked alongside government and industry partners to deliver this upgrade.”

The works are expected to shift up to 40,000 tonnes of grain from road to rail each year, reducing truck movements on local roads by around 900 annually. Train turnaround times have also improved, with a return trip from site to port and back now taking 48 hours – down from 60.

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, GrainCorp COO Klaus Pamminger, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison MP, and ARTC Property Manager Michael Irons

Located in a key grain-growing region, the Condobolin site receives around 177,000 tonnes of grain each harvest. The upgraded siding now allows each train to carry up to 2,822 tonnes – a 35 per cent increase in load capacity.

The upgrade will help future-proof the site for larger harvests, giving growers greater confidence that their grain can be moved quickly and reliably even in high-volume seasons.

The project was a collaborative effort between GrainCorp, the NSW Government and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), with funding contributions including:

$6.75 million from GrainCorp

$1.21 million from the NSW Government’s ‘Fixing Country Rail’ program, to extend the siding by 900 metres

$190,000 in-kind contribution from ARTC for rail equipment

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison MP, said the project highlights the value of investment in regional freight infrastructure.

“This upgrade is a great example of how investing in regional rail infrastructure delivers real benefits across the supply chain, and in reducing road impacts,” Minister Aitchison said.

“A stronger, more efficient freight network means lower transport costs and a more competitive grain industry.”

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, added that safety was another key benefit.

“This upgrade is not just about efficiency — it’s about safety too. Reducing an estimated 900 truck movements from local roads each year means safer roads for everyone in the community,” Mr Barwon said.

The Condobolin project adds to GrainCorp’s ongoing investments in modernising its network to improve productivity and enhance site turnaround times for growers.