The long-awaited Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT) is a step closer following the announcement by National Intermodal of the acquisition of 1100 hectares of land.
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.
"We welcome the announcement that National Intermodal has exercised an option to acquire the land at Beveridge and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aurizon as the foundation customer for the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal. 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," she said.
A statement released by National Intermodal on 28 March 2023 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.
"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."
