Work began in mid-December on the $1.62 billion Beveridge Intermodal Precinct in the north of Melbourne, and at the southern end of the Inland Rail corridor, the Australian Commonwealth Government reported.
The mid-December site-preparation works should pave the way for main construction to begin early this year.
It is hoped that the open access Beveridge Intermodal Precinct will reduce freight costs and ease road congestion, while boosting supply chain efficiency and competition.
It is envisaged that each train pulling into the intermodal terminal will replace up to 110 trucks, which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.1 million tonnes over 25 years and to cut particulate pollution by 92%. Around 500 hectares of land will be preserved for green areas and other socio-environmental benefits.
The first stage of the project will also deliver the only Melbourne terminal capable of receiving and servicing double stacked inland rail trains, targeting mid-2028 operations with capacity for up to 200,000 20-foot-equivalent units annually. Once operational, double stacked trains will be able to run between Melbourne and Perth, via Parkes in the New South Wales central west.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said: ‘“Today marks a major milestone as the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct moves from planning to delivery. As we work to move more freight from our roads to rail, Beveridge will play a key role in marshalling freight from the port and across Victoria, sending it onto destinations across the country via our rail network. Strong local supply chains often go unnoticed, but they are vital to ensure goods make it to shelves and shopfronts. With site preparation works now starting, the freight hub here at Beveridge will play a key role in our supply chain, while supporting local jobs and boosting our nation’s economy.”
National Intermodal CEO James Baulderstone added: “The Beveridge Intermodal Precinct is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how freight moves across Australia. We’re ready to deliver a nationally significant project that will not only drive $14 billion in economic uplift in Victoria and create more than 17,000 jobs, but also deliver real environmental benefits, including taking 167,000 truck trips off our roads each year and cutting emissions by more than 12 million tonnes. This is about building smarter infrastructure that supports industry, underpins our supply chain and, importantly, gets everyday products to households and business more efficiently.”
