Northline opens Katherine branch as rail & road 'hub'
This conference was attended by government officials and key industry leaders, assessing the Territory's transport infrastructure, and identifying opportunities for future developments and trade.
National freight company Northline has established its own branch in Katherine, providing a strategic connection of rail transport with line haul operations to all major capital cities including Darwin.
The new branch opened November 10 at the Katherine Rail Terminal, on the Victoria Highway. The facility creates a local 'hub' for road, rail and intermodal operations, confirming Northline's long term commitment to the NT through a full-service presence in Katherine.
The branch is operated for Northline by local transport professionals Roz Nimmo and Leon Gurney. It provides the full range of Northline services including general freight, express freight, Produce, Cars, U-Pack-it and even storage.
With reliable levels of rainfall, northern Australia has developed rapidly as a fruit and vegetable growing region. During the past five years, the region around Katherine and the Kununurra area of northern WA has become a fruit bowl for the country, producing everything from lemons and grapefruit to watermelons, rockmelons and pumpkins.
Northline chief operating officer Phillip Taylor said Northline's presence in Katherine provided local customers with the confidence of safe, cost effective, reliable and efficient transport services. "Our fully integrated national freight network gives customers the certainty that their product will get to the markets fast and fresh," he said.
Northline is a national freight company that specialises in servicing remote locations throughout Australia. The privately-owned business employs more than 400 people to provide express freight, general freight, warehousing and mine site services. This year Northline celebrates the 25th anniversary of establishing its first long-haul "lane" connecting Adelaide with the Top End.
Mr. Taylor said the Katherine branch was the latest step to fulfilling Northline's vision of creating a strategic national network of freight distribution centres. "We see the NT as an area of great opportunity," he said.
"We are pleased to support the local community by carrying in required products and transporting out local produce. By using people from Katherine to operate the Northline branch, we aim to offer the best of both worlds - access to an international freight network combined with local understanding."
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