2022-23 Harvest Updates, page-155

stayer, that comment was excellent but ought really be under '2023-24' as it relates to the 2023 winter crop, not 2022's.

Yesterday, Pacific National-operated GNC grain trains loaded at Ouyen on the Mildura/Yelta, Victoria standard gauge line and at Manangatang on the broad gauge line that terminates there, but is disused beyond to Robinvale.

On Thursday 8 June 2023, in NSW, other GNC trains look to be loading at Barellan and Yenda on the secondary main line to Griffith via Temora, and at Bribbaree on the crosscountry Cootamundra to Parkes line that is used by a large number of heavy trains including some Sydney to Perth or vice versa up to 100 wagon intermodals.

The Coonamble branch line, north of Dubbo that was rerailed a few years ago is playing host to two GNC trains form what I can see, one loading at the terminus while the other is at Gulargambone.

Despite Portmouth's comment about April to September normally being quiet for GNC, and so-called 'elevator' (trading) margins having reduced or collapsed, this isn't evident in winter 2023.

Pacific National has a shortage of train crews at depots like Dimboola and Ouyen in Victoria, but I lack visibility as to whether this is delaying GNC's outloading program. Probably what's occurring is (regrettably) more grain moving by B-Doubles, a far less safe way of transport. In recent weeks there have been a number of heavy vehicle accidents in Victoria, some of which have resulted in injuries or people being killed. A truck driver was killed at Shelbourne (near Maldon, Vic) this morning.