Bulk grain facility opens

The agricultural export landscape of Bunbury changed forever on Friday, when agribusiness Bunge officially opened its bulk grain facility at the Bunbury Port.

With Transport Minister Deal Nalder, Bunge Global chief executive officer Soren Schroder and Bunbury Australia general manager Chris Aucote in attendance, the facility which is capable of storing up to 50,000 tonnes of grain, was swung into full operation.

There have already been two shipments from the facility – 18,000 tonnes of grain left in July and 44,000 tonnes of barley was exported last month.

The $40 million terminal has a 1000t/hour capacity.

The State Government has allowed Bunge to export up to 500,000 tonnes of grain a year.

Bunge Australia general manager Chris Aucote said it was great for Bunge and the Bunbury community to officially open the facility.

“We will look at what further investments we can do looking forward, ” he said.

Mr Aucote said Bunge would look to export 200,000 tonnes before the end of the year before increasing to 500,000 tonnes in 2015.

“We think what we have built here should give us the ability to do what we want here in terms of the volumes we want, ” he said.

Mr Nalder said the official opening was an historic day in WA’s agricultural industry.

“It brings exciting opportunities for farmers,” he said.

“For the Greater Bunbury region this is the first time since 1988 we have had grain exported out of Bunbury.

“Having that is a great thing for the city.

“The fact we have brought a new entrant into the marketplace is an exciting prospect for farmers and it is great the City of Bunbury has been able to facilitate that.”

Mr Nalder said the State Government was supporting the venture by proving more than $50 million for work widening and improving safety on the Coalfields Highway.

In addition, $10 million will be spent to upgrade roads east of Collie.

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