The Carrathool complex came to market in January. Photo: Elders

AGCONNEX has confirmed it has acquired the Carrathool grain complex in the western Riverina.

The New South Wales-based grain storage and handling company had been leasing and operating the site prior to it coming to market in January.

Before AgConnex took over operations, the facility was managed by Grainlink, which entered voluntary administration in June 2023.

In October of that year, Grainlink’s four entities were restructured and acquired by related firm Australian Grainlink, later rebranded as AgConnex under chief executive officer Geoff Barker and director Dean Sylvestro.

Mr Barker said the purchase solidified AgConnex commitment to local growers and the broader Riverina region.

“We’ve been operating the Carrathool complex under lease for the past couple of years, making some essential upgrades over the past 12-18 months for better traffic flow and safety for the most recent harvest,” Mr Barker said.

“With our purchase of the facility now official, we will accelerate our plans to further develop and modernise the site.

“Our goal is to ensure the site fully meets the needs of our grower clients in the local area.”

Headquartered in Griffith, AgConnex owns and operates three other grain receival and handling facilities across the Riverina at Benerembah, Coleambally and Wumbulgal.

The Carrathool complex, located on the Sturt Highway between Hay and Darlington Point, currently has around 95,500 tonnes of combined grain silo and bunker storage on the 22.6-hectare site.

Receivals include durum, hard wheat and barley from across the region.

Consultation with growers

Mr Barker said that now that the transaction was finalised, the AgConnex team will be re-engaging with growers and agribusiness operators local to the site.

“We’ll be in contact with local producers to talk to them about our plans for the Carrathool site and gather their input on what we can do to best support their needs, now and into the future.

“We are committed providing a seamless supply chain experience for grain growers in the area.

“Investments like this are crucial to both our and our customers’ success.

“We’re looking forward to growing the opportunity for everyone.”