Construction has commenced on the $1.62 billion Beveridge Intermodal Precinct in Melbourne’s north, with the Australian Government turning the first sod on what is set to become the country’s largest intermodal logistics hub.
Located at the southern end of the Inland Rail freight corridor, the precinct is intended to change how freight moves between Victoria and interstate markets. With key approvals now in place, site preparation works are underway, ahead of main construction beginning early next year.
Once fully developed, the open access precinct is expected to reduce freight costs, ease road congestion and improve supply chain efficiency by shifting freight from road to rail. The project is forecast to remove around 167,000 truck trips from roads each year, with each train capable of replacing up to 110 trucks.
The modal shift is expected to cut an estimated 12.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over 25 years and reduce particulate pollution by 92 per cent compared to road freight. Around 500 hectares of land will be preserved for green wedge and other long-term environmental and social outcomes.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King says the project marks a transition 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,” King says.
The Australian Government has also committed $900 million to a new interchange at Camerons Lane to manage increased traffic as trucks enter and exit the precinct.
The project is expected to create 8,000 jobs within the precinct and support more than 17,000 at its peak, with most roles filled by workers from Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Stage one will deliver Melbourne’s only terminal capable of servicing double-stacked Inland Rail trains, targeting mid-2028 operations with capacity for up to 200,000 TEUs annually.
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