MP Ali Cupper to pushing for longer term investment in freight rail

Mildura MP Ali Cupper is again arguing for a $115m rail corridor to improve freight movements in the state’s northwest.

Independent Member for Mildura Ali Cupper has called on the Victorian government to create a stronger agriculture plan in the state’s northeast.

Commissioning a report from the Independent Parliamentary Budget Office about the benefits of building a $115m Ballarat rail freight corridor, Ms Cupper said this kind of investment in the rail network was a necessity for the Mallee’s economy.

“Commodities are the backbone of our economy and strong investment in our rail network is a basic necessity,” she said.

“We need to break the impasse on freight rail, and pinpoint exactly what the government is prepared to do to get more of the Mallee’s freight off our road networks and onto the tracks.”

It comes off the back of the Murray Basin Project Rail Project, which was re-scoped in 2020, scrapping the Ballarat freight corridor.

She also advocated for the creation of a rail taskforce to address the needs of the agriculture sector.

Ms Cupper would also like this taskforce to be able to deal with other issue affecting primary industry such as labour and accommodation shortages.

“Not only would the taskforce consider our farmers’ freight-related needs, but other critical and related issues like labour shortages and worker accommodation which also impact the returns of agriculture sector,” Ms Cupper said.

All of this comes as part of her proposed Agriculture Industry Development Plan.

“Research and planning funding could create a comprehensive Agriculture Industry Development Plan, which would determine achievable, incremental steps to get more freight on our rail network,” Ms Cupper said.

Her goal is for the state government to invest in a 30 year infrastructure plan for agriculture in the region.