Developments on Melbourne intermodal options an important step for Inland Rail

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) welcomes confirmation of the Australian Government’s $2 billion commitment to the development of intermodal freight terminals in Melbourne to facilitate improved connectivity between the Inland Rail and the Port of Melbourne. The Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, outlined this approach in a speech to the Victorian Transport infrastructure Conference in Melbourne today.

ALC CEO, Brad Williams said it was important to continue shaping and modernising Australia’s freight and logistics infrastructure in order to meet the growing freight task and this was consistent with the commitment to develop two intermodal freight terminals in Melbourne.

“It is essential the Australian and Victorian Governments now work collaboratively and expeditiously on the next stages of this important component of the $14.5 billion Inland Rail Project,” Mr Williams said.

“A coordinated and centralised approach, through the National Intermodal Corporation, should ensure access for multiple supply chain participants and help drive increased efficiency and productivity across all freight modes but most importantly in rail freight,” he said.

“The need for modal shift from road to rail is critical to the long-term sustainability and viability of the end-to-end supply chain. These developments, along with changes at the Moorebank intermodal facility in Sydney, demonstrate that we are taking significant steps to modernise Australia’s rail freight network, deliver on the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, and drive the development of local jobs and industries,” Mr Williams said.

ENDS