[2] Major freight consigned from the region included bulk grain, sheep and cattle, and locally grown fruit.

The project was carried out by the Rural City of Mildura along with Regional Development Victoria to open up the riverfront area, with $8 million in funding provided by the State Government.

[6] As part of the work a new rail freight facility will be constructed to the west of the existing Merbein terminal, as well as refurbishment of the sidings at Red Cliffs for the storage of maintenance equipment.

The main freight traffic on the line is export grain and containerised wine, grapes, citrus, dried fruit and juice, totalling around 1.5 million tonnes per year.

[11] The service has yet to be returned, but as recently as 2007 the Labor Party was stating that the freight upgrade as the "first stage in the reintroduction of passenger rail to Mildura".