Fight goes on against intermodal, despite government move

Despite the screaming headlines in some sections of the media today, the Moorebank intermodal terminal has not been given final approval.

What has happened in the past 24 hours is that the federal government and the private consortium seeking to operate intermodals at two Moorebank sites opposite each other have merely formalised what they had already agreed to do: work as one on the project – if it gets the green light.

This is basically about a federal government with budget problems offloading some of the capital costs to the private operator.

In a joint statement issued today by the finance minister Mathias Cormann and the infrastructrure minister Warren Truss, they said:

“The Government’s Moorebank Intermodal Company (MIC) has today signed an agreement with the Sydney Intermodal Terminal Alliance (SIMTA) for the development of the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal.

“The agreement will see SIMTA develop and operate an intermodal freight terminal and warehousing across both Commonwealth and SIMTA-owned land at Moorebank, with direct rail access to Port Botany via the Southern Sydney Freight Line.

“Combining the site into a single development optimises the outcomes and minimises taxpayer exposure.

“SIMTA is a consortium which represents two of Australia’s largest logistics companies, Qube Holdings and Aurizon Holdings.

“The facility will include an import-export terminal with ultimate capacity to handle up to 1.05 million containers a year and a separate interstate terminal that will ultimately have capacity for up to 500,000 containers a year.

“SIMTA will provide up to $1.5 billion in private investment for the project. Leveraging that significant private sector investment means the Commonwealth’s commitment, through MIC, will be limited to around $370 million instead of around $900 million under the previous government’s business plan.

“This new, major interstate terminal will get more freight off our highways and onto rail, driving significant improvements in national productivity. “There will be open access for rail operators and other users of the Moorebank facility to promote competition.

“The total economic benefits of the project are estimated at close to $9 billion, including relieving traffic congestion on Sydney’s roads, reducing costs to business and better environmental outcomes.

“Over 1,300 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with up to 7,700 jobs created mainly in South West Sydney once the intermodal terminal precinct is fully developed.

“Environmental and planning approvals are being sought for the combined precinct, to address community concerns and minimise any potential adverse impacts on local residents and businesses.

“The planning process will require the project to contribute over time to local traffic intersections where the project will add pressure and require environmental offset investment in green corridors around the facility to enhance the biodiversity and ensure conservation of important vegetation.

“Subject to the approvals by the Commonwealth and state planning and environment authorities, work on the project will begin this year and the Moorebank intermodal terminal is planned to be operational from late 2017,’’ the two ministers said.

Chairman of Residents Against Intermodal Development [RAID], John Anderson, said it was clear that this did not represent approval of the proposal.

“It is not approved as there are still two public exhibitions running now which don’t close until June 26,’’Mr Anderson said.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“They are just trying to deceive the public in not continuing the battle but it has just made us more determined to continue the fight.[/social_quote]

“We cannot afford to stop as the consequences are too dire and the number of residents whose health and welfare will be affected is enormous,’’ Mr Anderson said.

“It is not the end of the road as we will continue on the fight with the Liverpool Council and leave no stone unturned to get our desired outcome.

“Our next step must bet be to intensify our campaign and get residents more informed about the outcomes as there is too much apathy in the community.

“We just finished a segment with Channel 9 to be shown tonight in their news and the battle against the intermodal goes on.’’