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Grains freight blueprint 'outdated'

Dean Nalder. Picture: Bill Hatto/The West Australian.

A State Government-funded report into the future grains industry has rejected claims from Transport Minister Dean Nalder that a freight blueprint drawn up six years ago remains relevant.

The Grain Industry Association of WA report said it was time to revisit the findings of the 2009 Strategic Grain Network Review with a 20 million tonne crop in reach within the next decade.

"The industry's clear preference is for a comprehensive review undertaken as soon as possible," it said.

The report said the road and rail network was a barrier to improved efficiency.

Responding to a damning parliamentary committee report on the rail freight network last week, Mr Nalder said the SGNR remained relevant and rejected a finding that it was no longer an appropriate policy document.

GIWA president Sean Powell and Agriculture Minister Ken Baston unveiled the WA Grain Industry Strategy 2025+ yesterday as more than 550 delegates gathered for the 2015 agribusiness crop updates event at Crown.

Mr Powell said the grains industry already accounted for about 50 per cent of the farm gate value of agriculture in WA and could double in value over the next 10 years.

"It is not inconceivable that by 2025 we may be looking at an annual WA grain crop approaching 20 million tonnes valued at around $10 billion," he said.