Laing O’Rourke has secured a second key project with CBH Group in Western Australia, signing the contract for the Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding project.
The project is part of the first tranche of CBH Group’s new rail siding upgrades and outloading facilities across the Wheatbelt region of WA, funded in partnership with the Western Australian and Federal governments under the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) Program.
Laing O’Rourke’s Acting Managing Director Mark Dimmock said rail infrastructure was a key economic enabler, and the company was proud to be working with CBH Group to improve the outloading capabilities of the grain supply chain.
The agriculture and food sector represents ten percent of Western Australia’s economy and continues to grow. In 2022, wheat represented $5.5b worth of Western Australia’s exports, supporting the business case to maintain and improve a safe, efficient and productive grain handling and transport network.
Located nearly 200km north of Perth, the Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Project includes the following scope:
- A new grain handling facility, including complex structural steel, mechanical, and electrical works
- New rail siding including turnouts and connection to the existing ARC infrastructure network
- Earthworks, access roads, drainage works, and a new amenity building
- Two service road level crossings.
CBH Group Chief Project Delivery Officer Sam Gliddon was delighted to have another rapid rail outloading and siding project approved.
“We are pleased to welcome Laing O’Rourke, a highly respected international construction business, as our head contractor at Moora,” he said.
“The Moora rapid rail outloading and siding project consists of a new 1,440m rail siding which will run alongside a new, six silo, 6600 tonne fixed rail loading facility.
“Improving the outloading capabilities of WA’s grain supply chain is a major focus for CBH, and we are proud to invest in fixed rail loading infrastructure alongside the Western Australian and Federal Governments investment in rail siding upgrades.
“These projects will enable CBH to reduce train loading times and get grain to port more efficiently, maximising the value to WA growers today, and future generations.”
The Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Facility project is due for completion in mid-2026.