Laing O’Rourke secures second project with CBH Group in Western Australia

Laing O’Rourke has secured a second key project with CBH Group in Western Australia, signing the contract for the Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding project.

The project is part of the first tranche of CBH Group’s new rail siding upgrades and outloading facilities across the Wheatbelt region of WA, funded in partnership with the Western Australian and Federal governments under the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) Program.

Laing O’Rourke’s Acting Managing Director Mark Dimmock said, “Rail infrastructure is a key economic enabler, and we are proud to be working with CBH Group to improve the outloading capabilities of the grain supply chain.”

The agriculture and food sector represents ten percent of Western Australia’s economy and continues to grow. In 2022, wheat represented $5.5bn worth of Western Australia’s exports, supporting the business case to maintain and improve a safe, efficient and productive grain handling and transport network.

Mark Fletcher, Business Unit Leader for Laing O’Rourke’s Rail Operations said, “Earlier this year, we signed up to deliver the Cranbrook Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Facility project in the Great Southern Region of WA, which is also part of the ASCI program. That project is now well underway, and we are pleased to extend our partnership with CBH for this second project, utilising the specialist skills of our Rail Operations business unit.”

Located nearly 200km north of Perth, the Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Project includes the following scope:

• A new grain handling facility, including complex structural steel, mechanical, and electrical works;
• New rail siding including turnouts and connection to the existing ARC infrastructure network;
• Earthworks, access roads, drainage works, and a new amenity building; and
• Two service road level crossings.

CBH Group Chief Project Delivery Officer Sam Gliddon said it was great to have another rapid rail outloading and siding project approved.

“We are pleased to welcome Laing O’Rourke, a highly respected international construction business, as our head contractor at Moora,” Mr Gliddon said.

“The Moora rapid rail outloading and siding project consists of a new 1,440m rail siding which will run alongside a new, six silo, 6,600 tonne fixed rail loading facility.

“Improving the outloading capabilities of WA’s grain supply chain is a major focus for CBH, and we are proud to invest in fixed rail loading infrastructure alongside the Western Australian and Federal Governments investment in rail siding upgrades.

“These projects will enable CBH to reduce train loading times and get grain to port more efficiently, maximising the value to WA growers today, and future generations.”

The Moora Rapid Rail Outloading and Siding Facility project is due for completion in mid 2026.

Images used are artist impressions.