By Molly Magennis
Victoria’s freight and logistics industry will receive a boost thanks to construction of a freight facility in Altona, providing a direct rail connection to Port Melbourne.
The SCT Logistics Interstate Freight Facility is jointly funded by both the federal and state governments with a $9.2 million investment and is set to be operational by the end of 2022.
SCT Logistics will also invest more than $16 million into the facility with new cross-dock facilities, an expanded container hard-stand area and rail-siding extensions.
Once completed, it will form a crucial part of Victoria’s Port Rail Shuttle Network, cutting transport costs for businesses, and taking thousands of trucks off suburban roads.
With the port being Australia’s largest, this project will not only increase the efficiency of transporting goods, but is expected to create 40 new jobs and support an already existing workforce of more than 300 Victorians.
A total of $6.1 million for planning was also assigned to the Western Interstate Freight Terminal, which will provide rail access to the hundreds of warehousing and logistics businesses in Melbourne’s outer west.
Ports and freight minister Melissa Horne the Port Rail Shuttle Network project will further enhance the precinct’s importance in addressing the growing freight task.
“Melbourne’s west is home to thousands of jobs in transport, manufacturing, and logistics,” she said.
“An expanded rail freight terminal in Altona will provide an alternative to truck transport for the logistics community and reduce truck traffic at the port, along the Princes Freeway and other key arterial and suburban roads.”
SCT Logistic managing director Geoff Smith said the company was proud to be working in partnership with the government on this project.
“We’re investing more than $16 million at Altona to improve and enhance our inland port capability with a direct rail connection to the Port of Melbourne to receive and dispatch port shuttle trains,” he said.
