Farmers offer advice on rail upgrade

By Geoff Adams

Mar 14, 2022

Farmers who met with Regional Rail Revival representatives on Friday to discuss changes to level crossings to assist with stock movements have described the meeting as positive.

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Two of the Arcadia farmers, Des Quirk and Robert Smith, met with the company constructing the upgrade for the Shepparton railway line to discuss changes, which would make the crossings safer.

The project managers showed the farmers designs for the four crossings between Arcadia and Murchison East, which are used by adjoining farmers to move sheep.

Farmers are worried the upgrade will bring extra trains at faster speeds along the line, which might endanger stock and trains.

Mr Quirk said they spent three hours on Friday with project managers who presented detailed drawings following earlier input from the farmers.

He said he appreciated they engaged in genuine discussion about how the proposals would work, and at the end of the meeting agreed to make some amendments after suggestions from farmers.

He said they also took away suggestions on safety improvements, community engagement and consultation.

The project managers will take the amendments to V/Line for approval and have promised to respond to the farmers.

State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed has been assisting the farmers with their concerns and took the issue toTransport Minister Jacinta Allan on Tuesday, March 8.