AWB Limited is to invest A$36 million (€21m) to construct new grain receival centres in Northern New South Wales, Australia, this year to drive down wheat growers' supply chain costs.
AWB Limited's Managing Director, Andrew Lindberg, said the proposed facilities were part of AWB's existing storage and handling strategy, and would deliver improved services and greater efficiency to growers while providing a better commercial return.
"Growers can expect savings of at least $2 - $3 per tonne on the combined up country storage and handling fee and the rail deduction to port," said Mr Lindberg.
"Development applications have been lodged with the relevant local council for sites at a cost of approximately A$9 million each.
"The proposed sites at Gilgandra and Nyngan are situated on rail branch lines and this investment reinforces our commitment to invest in rural Australia and to provide appropriate support to rail branch lines in rural NSW," said Mr Lindberg.
"This investment will be an important financial boost for NSW rural communities and our experience in constructing grain centres in other areas has shown a substantial injection of funds into local economies arising in construction phase and through on-going employment," said Mr Lindberg.
The sites are due for completion by November this year and once operational each site will employ up to 30 local staff during the harvest season.
The facilities will use the latest technology and will have the capacity to receive 8,000 tonnes of grain receivals per day, providing growers with fast turnaround times during harvest. Equipment will include 4 bunkers, a fully integrated conveyor system, a sampling platform, weighbridge and a fully integrated data control system.
The proposed sites will have rapid rail loading capability with two x 1,350 tonnes over rail bins capable of loading a 2,700 tonne train in less than two hours.