Hannah Hammoud
The long-awaited Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT) is one step closer after National Intermodal announced the acquisition of 1100 hectares of land required to build the terminal.
Whittlesea council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said council had been advocating to both federal and state governments for funding to see this important project come to fruition.
“This is an exciting announcement for our community and provides certainty on the delivery of this much-anticipated project,” she said.
“The BIFT is expected to deliver an enormous boost to local employment with some 20,000 jobs required for both construction and ongoing operations and it will contribute $3.5 billion to the economy each year.”
A statement released by National Intermodal on March 28 indicated that early planning was under way to support potential interstate rail services at Beveridge as soon as possible with full terminal and precinct warehouse operations by 2028/29.
The precinct would also see upgrades to key road corridors including the Camerons Lane/Hume Highway intersection.
In 2018 Beveridge was identified by the state government as a prime location for Victoria’s interstate freight hub. The project is set to play a significant role in delivering efficiencies in the movement of freight, ease traffic congestion and unlock job opportunities for a rapidly expanding community.
“We look forward to working with National Intermodal and our neighbouring councils to progress with this project so we can see the benefits to local communities and beyond as soon as possible,” said Ms Wilson.
