Grain storage boost gets green light

A $27 million grain receival and storage facility proposed for Down Road in Albany is set to proceed.

The development by Co-operative Bulk Handling is expected to be approved tomorrow by the Great Southern Joint Development Assessment Panel when it meets at the City of Albany’s offices.

The facility will boost Albany’s grain storage capacity by about 140,000 tonnes, adding to CBH’s 496,000-tonne Albany Port facility, which has limited vacant land for expansion.

The Albany zone is the second largest in the CBH network, but the Albany Port terminal is the smallest.

It was pushed to the limit last harvest when a record 487,817 tonnes was received from growers in the zone, although the average seasonal receival is nearly 350,000 tonnes.

CBH zone manager Greg Thornton said the new facility would reduce the reliance on shipping during the harvest period to reduce storage demands and help with grain type and grade segregation.

“The new facility will give us the chance to have more controlled deliveries,” he said.

“We will still have the main terminal to fill first, especially with grain required for shipping.”

Construction is expected to begin in December and will provide a grain receival point, sampling and storage, truck marshalling and weighing and staff facilities.

Once completed, the site will operate 16 hours a day, with about 12 staff working each of two shifts.

Mr Thornton said more casual labour could be required during the harvest as a result.

Main Roads WA supported the proposal as it would reduce the number of heavy vehicles using the Albany Highway roundabout and Hanrahan Road to access the Albany Port.

However, trucks will still move grain to port when required.

During 2012, there were more than 50,000 truck movements delivering grain in and out of the port terminal.

Down Road traffic will increase as a result of the new facility, which will be able to handle 35 trucks in its marshalling area.

The decision to build the facility will put pressure on the State Government to progress stages two and three of the Albany Ring Road.

More traffic is expected to be diverted from Chester Pass Road to Menang Drive as a result.

The cleared, 230ha site is rural zoned is adjacent the Down Road and Down Road West intersection in the Mirambeena Industrial Park.

A public art work commission valued at approximately $124,000 to reflect or enhance a local cultural identity is included in the JDAP approval as part of the development.

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