Supermarket shelves in Western Australia remain short of stock despite freight route reopening
Supermarkets shelves across Western Australia are looking bare more than a week after a crucial freight route - forced to shut due to major flooding - reopened.
The Trans-Australian Railway line and the Eyre Highway were forced to close after parts of the state was hit by a severe deluge last month.
Coles and Woolworths this week promised a full restock of stores after supplies of some items such as pasta, butter, cheese, yoghurt and orange juice ran low.
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Supermarkets in Western Australia continue to suffer shortages of essential goods despite a vital rail route reopening. Nine
Woolworths said it was working urgently to restock its shelves.
"Our priority is getting more chilled products to our stores - things like cheese, margarine and juice, as well as meat and poultry items," a spokesperson said.
Coles said it expected the backlog of rail deliveries was clearing.
"Customers can expect to see increased stock arrivals in stores over the coming days." a spokesperson said.
Smaller supermarkets say they have been less impacted because of the purchasing arrangements they have with local suppliers.
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Stocks of chillded products have run low in some supermarkets. Nine
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the government is looking at potential shipping routes as an alternative during flood emergencies.
"We will continue to lobby and work with the federal government to see how we can improve the resiliance of the east-west rail line."
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