Goondiwindi Rail Forum 4 th December 2015

The Colin Rees Group (CRG) has a history Stretching back over 60 Years and 3 Generations Commencing with South Suburban Taxi Trucks, then CRT Group and now CRG we have a proven track record in Rail having built and operated 5 rail hubs across Australia CRG currently owns and operates a number of transport related businesses in regional NSW and Victoria including the Ettamogah Rail Hub (NSW) and Mangalore Airport (Vic) Today we share our experiences in establishing a world class Intermodal Facility in Regional NSW and our Vision for the Future

Timeline YearActivity Col Rees investigates alternatives to Bandiana. Settles on newsprint mill siding at Ettamogah near Albury Feb ‘07Ettamogah Project Office opened in Albury Sub division and land purchase finalised Design, Planning approvals and DA’s completed June 2008Construction Commenced July st Train stops on Main Line and takes Consist from Siding to Melbourne

Photographic Timeline July 2008Today

TODAY

Regular Customers

Revenues

Container Volumes

International vs Domestic

The Highs and Lows Strong local government support and appropriate level of involvement! Early engagement with community and sharing of information Support from other stakeholders (e.g. line haul operators) Very high levels of enquiry and desire by customers to have a rail- freight option……. But you have to show them that it works, $$ is still King

Breaking down of barriers: e.g. ‘You won’t stop an interstate freight train at ERH’ Demonstrated the significant volumes of regional freight that is willing to move by rail Staff skills diversified

The Highs and Lows (cont.) High standards set for construction; infrastructure; facilities and equipment. Access to senior levels of other key stakeholders has been important Obtaining accreditation through the regulator took 9 months…… Enthusiastic support for the program from the operational levels of ARTC No govt. money used to fund the project Local state and federal politicians kept in the loop from the commencement of the project.

Pad 4 & Shed Pad 1 Pad 2 Pad 3 Rail Platforms Rail Extension More than Just a Rail Hub – it’s a New Approach to Logistics for Regional Australia

Sydney Brisbane Griffith Bomen (Wagga) Ettamogah Melbourne To Perth Cootamundra Junee Opportunities – Riverina Widgelli Rail Hub Opening in 2016!! Consolidating freight onto the mainline for distribution to and from the main cities