Construction has wrapped up on the first of CBH Group’s storage expansion projects for this year’s harvest, as part of the group’s $150 million push to add more than 800,000 tonnes of storage.
Expansion works at Gairdner, located 150 kilometres north-east of Albany, WA, have included the construction of two open bulkheads with a combined storage capacity of 46,800 tonnes. This has brought the total storage capacity at the site to more than 293,000 tonnes.
Throughput enhancements at the site have also included a conveyor loading system with two stackers positioned at the new bulkheads, which aim to increase the rate that grain can be received from trucks.
Additionally, an existing conveyor system at the site has been upgraded to receive grain at an increased 500 tonnes per hour.
WCP Civil was the lead contractor for the Gairdner upgrade.
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CBH General Manager Project Delivery, Pieter Vermeulen, said practical completion of the storage expansion at Gairdner was achieved at the end of July 2019.
“We’re very pleased to be able to complete the expansion at Gairdner on schedule,” Vermeulen said.
“The Project Delivery team is currently working closely with Operations to ensure a safe and smooth handover process that will pave the foundation for a good start to this year’s harvest.”
CBH General Manager Operations, Ben Macnamara, said investment into the network will continue to evolve to meet the requirements of growers.
“With the new storage and increased throughput capacity at Gairdner, we will be able to offer growers improved services and the option to offer additional segregations,” Macnamara said.
“This is especially important in this region which continues to see steady growth in grain production every year.”
“By continuing to invest into the network, the co-operative can keep its network fees competitive, increase throughput capacity and efficiency, and meet export demand at the right time to capture value for our growers’ grain.”