Supply chain rail line reopens but challenges lay ahead

The Trans-Australia rail line between the eastern states and WA has reopened after a once-in-200-year flood last month but it will take six to eight weeks to deal with the backlog.
The first freight train arrived at the Kewdale Freight Terminal just after 6am via the sole rail line between the eastern states and WA, which delivers 80 per cent of the state’s supplies.
Western Roads Federation chief executive Cam Dumesny said the most critical supplies would be brought into WA first.
“The retailers would of prioritised the essential supplies they need,” he told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast.
“They’ll be picked up by trucks and be taken to the distribution centres and pumped out to the retail stores.”
But Mr Dumesny pointed to a raft of other problems that were “frustrating” the industry and would delay the delivery of critical supplies west.
Tap PLAY below to hear more of the underlying issues.
Image: Olivia Donaldson, 9 News Perth