Federal government buys land for Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal
The federal government today confirmed it exercised an option to buy c1100 hectares for the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal, which has been on the table since Plan Melbourne 2014.
At 2025 Merriang Road, Beveridge, the bulk of the property – 618ha – is rural with the balance zoned Green Wedge.
Its eastern edge abuts Merri Creek.
The northern boundary, meanwhile, is a 157ha Austral Bricks facility classified as Wallan, at 2330 Epping-Kilmore Rd.
The government’s National Intermodal Corporation snapped up the property from Qube which held an option to buy it since 2018.
As part of the onsale, Qube can retain a 200ha developable piece provided it confirms by next February.
Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal
Set to join a Somerton intermodal facility announced by the state and federal governments in January, the Beveridge property is expected to accommodate double stacked freight trains up to 1.8 kilometres long.
To the north it will connect to Brisbane via Sydney’s Moorebank Intermodal Terminal, due for completion next year.
It will extend in the west to Perth (story continues below).
Completion is scheduled by 2029; Aurizon has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to be the foundation customer.
Road corridors will also be upgraded including the Hume Highway and Camerons Lane.
“Acquiring the land at Beveridge is an important milestone in the development of Melbourne’s modern, efficient intermodal terminals,” NIC chief executive officer, James Baulderstone, said.
“The Beveridge terminal when operational will greatly enhance the resilience of our national supply chain,” he added.
“Aurizon’s interest in the Beveridge terminal is a genuine demonstration of industry support for new, independent, interstate terminal capacity,” according to the executive.
“We will continue our engagement with other industry participants who have expressed significant interest in the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct and who share the vision of a revitalised rail freight sector delivering enhanced resilience and lower costs to Australian businesses and families.
“We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders including the Mitchell Shire and Whittlesea councils to unlock job opportunities in future construction and operations for the growing opportunities in Melbourne’s north who will be integral to the delivery of this precinct”.
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