New airline for regional WA

Work to upgrade rail infrastructure in the State's grain growing regions is gaining momentum with construction at Broomehill rail siding now underway as part of the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement (ASCI) Program.

The Broomehill project involves replacing the rail siding and installing rapid rail loading infrastructure which will significantly increase the amount of grain that can be loaded at any one time.

AState Government investment of more than $4 million has culminated in the expansion of the State's InterRegional Flight Network (IRFN), with the launch of Western Australia's newest carrier, Nexus Airlines.

The launch of Nexus Airlines, which is owned by Aviair, will deliver more routes, upgraded services and cheaper airfares for regional Western Australians.

The State Government granted Aviair a monopoly right to assist in the establishment of the IRFN service in 2019 and has now committed $4.05 million over four years until June 2027 to enhance the service and extend the network to Geraldton.

Nexus Airlines will fly 76-seater planes on the expanded IRFN operating between Geraldton-Karratha-Port Hedland-Broome and return along with other regional routes across Western Australia.

The larger planes accommodate more than eight times the capacity of Aviair’s nine-seater planes currently used on the existing IRFN and will make air travel on the network more affordable.

The IRFN provides direct air travel for regional residents between major business and tourism centres in the State's MidWest, Pilbara and Kimberley regions, saving time for travellers by removing the need to travel via Perth.

Nexus Airlines has also announced a new Geraldton-Perth service.

Customers of Nexus Airlines' GeraldtonPerth service will have access to the Government's popular Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme, which is making air travel more affordable for regional Western Australians.

More than 100,000 capped airfares were booked in the first nine months of scheme.

Nexus Airlines is expected take flight on the expanded IRFN on 28 July this year. For more information visit nexusairlines.com.au

Feedback is being sought on reforms to increase the width of heavy vehicles into Australia to boost safety.

The NHVR has released a Discussion Paper on how to implement the Australian Government’s Safer Freight Vehicle (SFV) reform proposals, including increasing the width of heavy vehicles fitted with modern safety technologies.

NHVR Chief Regulatory Policy and Standards Officer David Hourigan said the reforms would support the uptake of safer heavy vehicles by increasing the overall width up to 2.55m or 2.60m.

“The proposed SFV reforms would increase the fitment of safety technologies to new heavy vehicles by aligning local width regulations with those in major markets such as Europe,” Mr Hourigan said.

“These reforms will give industry access to a greater range of heavy vehicles fitted with the latest safety technologies.” To read the discussion paper visit nhvr.gov. au/consultation/2023/06/30/implementationof-safer-freight-vehicle-reforms

The $200 million ASCI Package 1 is jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments and includes $68 million for upgrading 11 rail sidings at major Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) grain bins, complemented by investment from the CBH Group.

Broomehill is one of the top five grain receival sites in the Albany region and is the second siding upgrade to begin construction following Brookton which broke ground in February this year.

The project will also move grain loading facilities away from the Broomehill town site, reducing noise and impacts on local residents.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "The ASCI Program has specifically targeted infrastructure projects that will have maximum effect in terms of making freight more productive, efficient, and safe.

"While Broomehill is one of the top five grain receival sites in the Albany region, its current rail loading capability means it isn't equipped to keep up with handling the bumper harvests of our grain producers.

“Demand for WA's quality grain products amongst international markets is outstripping what we currently export, including in the Albany region.

"The upgrades now underway at Broomehill will help to address this shortfall and move thousands more tonnes of grain each month to port to meet market demand and boost the WA economy.”

For more information on the ASCI Program, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au