Major grain carrying rail lines will be upgraded as part of $38.7 million announced by the Victorian Government today.

Premier John Brumby, in Horsham for Community Cabinet, said the funding would upgrade the majority of rail freight lines earmarked as Silver Lines in Tim Fischer’s Rail Freight Network Review.

The funds wil lead to the re-opening of the Ouyen to Murrayville line and  will help to improve speed limits and efficiency of the freight rail network.

Mr Brumby said the announcement to upgrade the majority of Silver Lines would means more than 70 per cent of Victoria’s rail freight-only network was now scheduled for upgrades. 

Silver Lines to be upgraded are Benalla to Oaklands, Quambatook to Manangatang,  Charlton to Sealake,  Warracknabeal to Hopetoun and  Ouyen to Murrayville.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said Silver Lines from Deniliquin to Echuca and Echuca to Toolomaba were already upgraded and met current demand.

She said the short Maryborough to Moolort Silver Line would also be upgraded but was currently available for freight use.

Mr Brumby said Mr Fischer’s review the government had announced $21.4 million to support the industry through transition and $37.4 million to upgrade priority Gold Lines and carry out maintenance.

“We have introduced a combination of short-term measures such as the support package which is now being complemented by longer term projects of track upgrades and maintenance to ensure our rail freight network is competitive and sustainable,” Mr Brumby said.