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Posted by Allen Newton
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03 Nov, 2026
A KEY freight rail upgrade in Western Australia's Mid West has been completed as the state's grain industry heads into what is expected to be another exceptionally large harvest, with forecasts approaching 24 million tonnes and CBH already reporting a strong start to receivals.
The WA and federal governments have announced the completion of Midland Line upgrade works between Carnamah and Mingenew, boosting axle-load capacity from 16 tonnes to 19 tonnes and allowing trains to carry significantly more grain to Geraldton Port during harvest.
The project was delivered by Arc Infrastructure via the $200 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) Program.
The upgrade included the installation of about 55,000 concrete and steel sleepers across 77km of track, replacing ageing timber sleepers and increasing the line's carrying capacity.
According to the governments, the higher axle-load capacity will enable each wagon to transport 25% more grain, improving supply-chain efficiency and reducing freight costs for growers.
The investment comes as WA prepares for another major grain season.
The Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) estimated WA's 2026-27 grain crop at 23.93 million tonnes in its October crop report, with favourable seasonal conditions supporting production across large parts of the grainbelt.
Meanwhile, CBH Group's first harvest report for the season showed receivals had already reached 2.71 million tonnes by 1 November, nearly double the volume recorded at the same point last year. Geraldton and Esperance were leading receivals, with 733,000 tonnes and 852,000 tonnes respectively delivered into the network.
The latest outlook follows a record-breaking 2025-26 harvest, when CBH received 24.2 million tonnes, the largest crop in the co-operative's history and the fourth time in five years that WA grain deliveries exceeded 20 million tonnes.
The Midland Line is one of the State's most important grain freight corridors, carrying around 500,000 tonnes of grain annually from the Mid West to Geraldton Port. Geraldton handles about 20% of WA's grain exports, supplying markets across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said the project had been delivered in time to support one of Australia's key export industries.
"A strong, efficient and reliable rail freight network is critical for regional producers, moving products to market and supporting jobs and economic growth across the country," Ms King said.
WA transport minister Rita Saffioti said the upgrades would help increase rail capacity and strengthen supply-chain reliability.
"Our government is committed to moving more freight on rail, which is why we're working hard to bring the State's freight rail network back into public control," she said.
Agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis said the improvements would directly benefit grain exporters and regional communities.
"With trains able to carry 25% more grain per wagon, we're making the journey to Geraldton Port more efficient, while supporting local jobs and strengthening an industry that contributes so much to our regional economy," Ms Jarvis said.
Beyond the Midland Line works, the ASCI program has also funded siding upgrades and extensions at key CBH receival sites, alongside CBH's investment in rapid rail-loading infrastructure designed to support the industry's growing production volumes.
With WA growers forecast to produce almost 24 million tonnes of grain this season and CBH already reporting an early surge in receivals, the Carnamah-Mingenew upgrades provide additional rail capacity at a critical time for exporters using Geraldton Port.
