Supporting farmers to get their produce efficiently to international markets continues to be a priority of the Allan Labor Government.
The Victorian Budget 2026/27 invests $127 million to deliver critical track maintenance across the freight network.
This will boost reliability and enable freight to be moved in larger volumes, more efficiently across Victoria.
Just one loaded regional container train can support an average $2.5 million worth of freight and take more than 100 trucks off our roads.
It will support works across the network, including replacing thousands of sleepers and upgrading bridges.
These upgrades will allow heavier and longer trains to operate, increasing network capacity and improving transit times for freight operators, while helping supply chains operate more efficiently - backing our producers.
Since 2020, we have invested more than $460 million in rail freight maintenance, allowing heavier, longer trains to run - boosting capacity, improving network performance and reducing pressure on our road network.
This is backed by projects already underway that help to take trucks off local roads, including:
- Building the Port Rail Shuttle Network
- Building on-dock rail at the Port of Melbourne
- Transforming the former Melbourne Market Site into a freight and logistics hub
- Connecting new grain terminals at North Shore and Tocumwal.
Victoria's freight and logistics sector contributes more than $36 billion to our economy each year and supports around 240,000 jobs.
The Port of Melbourne remains Australia's busiest container port, handling more than a third of the nation's container trade.
Labor has a proven track record of investing in rail freight and support regional industries.
As stated by Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
"Rail freight keeps our state moving and this investment will help support our producers."
"Moving more freight by rail means fewer trucks on our roads - improving safety, cutting emissions and reducing wear and tear on local roads."
"We're building a stronger rail network so Victorian producers can get their goods to market faster."
