Harper Sercombe
Australian government owned National Intermodal has purchased a 1100-hectare site in Beveridge for its inland tail intermodal terminal.
Beveridge is strategically located, and when developed, the site will have the ability to offer the efficiency of double-stacked container services for 1800-metre freight trains to Perth, and to Brisbane.
The terminal will significantly enhance competition in the rail freight sector by ensuring independent, open access arrangements for all industry participants.
Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said she is pleased to see the community working to deliver the project.
“The intermodal freight terminal 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,” she said.
In a statement released on June 22, National Intermodal said it was progressing concept design and seeking planning approvals with plans to have a preliminary terminal available to receive trains by 2025 with full operation by 2028-29.
The project has been one of Whittlesea’s priority advocacy projects due to its ability to generate jobs, contribute to the local economy and reduce local road congestion.
