SOUTH East businesses will benefit from an improved freight handling, transhipping and loading facility at Bordertown thanks to a grant from the Marshall Liberal Government.
Shield Intermodal has been offered up to $500,000 from the State Government’s Regional Growth Fund towards the Bordertown Intermodal development.
It is a new logistical solution involving the construction of an intermodal freight handling, transhipping and loading facility on the main Adelaide to Melbourne national railway line located at the Bordertown train station.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone said the project would be a great boost for the South East.
“The Bordertown Intermodal development will ensure an efficient and affordable transport and logistics link is developed between wood processing plants and other local industries in the South East of South Australia and international markets,” he said.
“By supporting this project the Marshall Liberal Government is helping provide a vital and important economic infrastructure facility for the Tatiara District which will positively benefit the region.”
MacKillop MP Nick McBride said the funding was a welcome boost for the region.
“The South East is well known for its forestry, wood products and primary production, this project opens a door to wider market options for our valuable produce,” he said.
“The intermodal development will help improve transport logistics between Bordertown, Adelaide and Melbourne providing a significant economic boost and expand rail freight options for the region.”
Shield Intermodal chief executive officer Suzie Li was encouraged by the support from the State Government and the Regional Growth Fund.
“The development of the project will not only reinforce the logistics solution for Shield’s wood processing plant and other local businesses, but it will also attract more investors to the region to develop processing facilities for agriculture products.
“We believe the development of Bordertown Intermodal will open a new gate to more opportunities and we are proud of being part of the whole picture.”
Shield Intermodal is a company focused on timber resources and products and is developing the Bordertown Intermodal project in collaboration with Bowmans Rail Pty Ltd, Flinders Ports Limited and Australian Rail Track Corp Ltd.
The $150m Regional Growth Fund has been established to unlock new economic activity in our regions, to deliver critical economic infrastructure that creates direct benefit across regional industries and to strengthen regional communities.