Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has welcomed an announcement of $2.5million in Federal funding to upgrade Cunningar Grain Terminal at Harden.  Angus Video Clip >>

Mr Taylor said the grant had been approved under Round 2 of the Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund programme.

“I am very excited about the benefits of this project for grain growers across the region. This funding will allow the upgrading of the rail siding at Cunningar to allow more grain to be loaded at a faster rate, doubling the weekly train volume from Harden to the port,” Mr Taylor said.

Transcript: “This has been an issue for some time. We’ve needed a significant investment in this rail terminal to keep it going and to support the grain growers in this extremely productive region. This is one of the most productive grain growing regions in Australia and this investment will secure their future. It will ensure they have the best possible access to port and to markets for their grain, that’s extremely important to keep them competitive and to ensure that we have a fast growing grain sector with lots of investment and job creation in the Harden region. So great news for Harden, great news for agriculture, great news for Australia as well.”

Harden Shire mayor John Horton has thanked Angus and the Federal Government.

“I’m so very pleased for primary producers, grain growers in particular, who will find this new facility most advantageous. It will save time and a lot of money, and the shire as a whole will benefit from farmers outside the district taking advantage of the new facility,” Cr Horton said.

As well as the Federal contribution, the project will be funded by a consortium including Harden Shire Council, Kruger Trust and GrainCorp.