THE FEDERAL and Western Australian governments recently opened a new intermodal terminal at Kenwick, while Pacific National pulled out of the proposed Little River precinct in Victoria, and another Inland Rail section has received state approvals.
Kenwick freight terminal opens
A new $25-million freight transfer terminal has opened at Kenwick, a suburb in south-east Perth, enabling more containers to be moved on rail to Fremantle Port.
The Kenwick Intermodal Terminal is expected to boost freight productivity and supply chain efficiency, and has been funded by $5M from both the Federal and WA governments, and $15M from Arc Infrastructure.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government MinisterCatherine King said the terminal will support the movement of around 200,000 containers annually by rail between Fremantle Port, the future Westport and Kenwick.
The Kenwick Intermodal Terminal is expected to boost freight productivity and supply chain efficiency, and has been funded by $5M from both the Federal and WA governments, and $15M from Arc Infrastructure.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the terminal will support the movement of around 200,000 containers annually by rail between Fremantle Port, the future Westport and Kenwick.
“Improving the efficiency and resilience of our supply chains, particularly in Western Australia, is a priority for the Albanese Government,” Ms King said.
“Western Australia continues to be a big driver of the national economy, and ensuring freight movement is as efficient as possible will continue to grow the economy and create new jobs for Western Australians.”
Stephen Price MLA – Member for Forrestfield and WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti with ederal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King. Photo: Rita Saffioti
Located within Arc Infrastructure’s rail freight facility, the terminal allows the safe and efficient transfer of container freight between rail and road by connecting to the Roe Highway Logistics Park, industrial warehouse precincts, and major road-freight routes.
“Arc Infrastructure has collaborated with the WA State Government over many years in developing a shared intermodal strategy,” Arc Infrastructure chief executive officer Murray Cook said.
“Kenwick is the first new IMT in line with that strategy and will have an immediate and profound impact on the capacity to move containers through Fremantle Port and on to rail and support the future Westport.”
As the operator of the new terminal, Intermodal Group vice president Adam Lebihansaid he was pleased to be commencing operations.
“Intermodal Group is excited to bring the Kenwick IMT online to complement and expand our existing operations at Forrestfield, Rockingham and North Quay,” Mr Lebihan said.
“Working with our rail provider, Watco Australia, we will continue to partner with customers and grow freight on rail in the Perth metro area.”
Pacific National exits Little River project
Australian rail freight business Pacific National last week announced it was pulling out of its proposed Little River container terminal project.
Located on the western edge of Melbourne, the terminal was expected to handle freight on the north-south Inland Rail corridor, and the line linking eastern Australia with South and Western Australia.
It was set to feature a rail-freight terminal, internal rail sidings and access roads, maintenance facilities, and warehouses.
In 2021, PN confirmed it had secured an option over a 540ha parcel for the terminal and a surrounding logistics precinct.
The project had met with significant opposition from the Little River community, citing the potential impacts of the development on the local environment.
In a statement published to the project’s website, PN said it had commenced notifying the relevant authorities of its decision to withdraw its applications for planning and environmental approvals for the Little River project.
“All work on the Environment Effects Statement, including technical investigations and technical design for the project, will shortly cease,” the statement said.
“Pacific National has made this decision given the changed timelines for associated freight and infrastructure projects and economic factors which have impacted on the project business case.
“Pacific National will continue to consider potential alternative terminal site options as they emerge to support efficient freight transport connectivity.”
Aerial view of Cootamundra. Photo: Inland Rail
Inland Rail I2S project approved
The NSW Government has approved the Illabo to Stockinbingal (I2S) section of the Inland Rail project.
The Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project was approved by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, meaning the Australian Rail Track Corporation is closer to beginning construction in late 2024.
NSW Government Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the approvals were a “significant step for this transformative project”
“Each section of Inland Rail is a valuable link in the chain of this important national infrastructure,” Mr Scully said.
“Inland Rail promises to be a game changer for inland communities across rural NSW.
“Once complete, we will be able to move goods much more efficiently to both Melbourne and Brisbane.”
ARTC will construct up to 39km of single-track railway for the double-stacked freight trains which will soon travel through the south-west slopes of NSW.
The I2S connection is one of seven sections traversing inland NSW, and will connect to the Albury-to-Illabo section in the south, and the Stockinbingal-to-Parkes proposal in the north.
The project is expected to create up to 400 jobs to build the new track, bridges and level crossings along the newly approved section, with upgrades to a further 3.5km of existing train track for necessary integration works to the main rail line at Illabo.
The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will now review the NSW approval assessment and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water will determine the project under the EPBC Act.
If approved by the Australian Government, work is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2027.
Sources: WA Government, Pacific National, Inland Rail
