The Moorebank intermodal proponents have hailed the arrival of the first freight trains carrying containers from Port Botany.
The Sydney Intermodal Terminal Alliance (SIMTA) says the first trains carrying containerised freight destined for South West Sydney is the realisation of a vision that goes back 20 years or more.
Current operations involve approximately five trains per week carrying import containers, which will increase over coming years to a total of up to 21 trains per day, says SIMTA in its December community newsletter.
“The start of operation of our import-export rail terminal is a landmark milestone and the first stage of a three year process to establish an integrated and automated logistic hub boasting two rail terminals (import-export and interstate) and 850,000 square metres of warehousing.
“At full operation, our facility will eliminate about 3,000 heavy vehicle movements per day between Port Botany and South West Sydney and deliver an estimated annual reduction in carbon emissions of more than 110,000 tons.’’
SIMTA says work was due to start before Christmas to upgrade Moorebank Avenue to four lanes between the M5 Motorway and the Moorebank Logistics Park site.
“Among the early work that has been carried out was the clearing of vegetation along the western side of Moorebank Avenue, where the road widening will occur.
“Vegetation removal for our project is being offset by the purchase of credits and also improved biodiversity outcomes through weed removal and new plantings within several locations nearby, including ongoing management of the environment in those places.
“Biodiversity offset areas include along the banks of the Georges River opposite Leacock Regional Park and in the bushland that separates Moorebank Logistics Park from Wattle Grove and the Holsworthy-Glenfield railway line.’’
SIMTA also announced that in November the Independent Planning Commission had approved its application for the next stage of the Moorebank project to proceed.
“The application included bulk earthworks across the site (between Moorebank Avenue and the Georges River), construction of the interstate rail terminal and development of warehousing on the western side of the precinct to commence.’’
The SIMTA newsletter also highlights what it calls a boost to local business, with Moorebank Logistics Park awarding almost $7 million worth of contracts to local firms in the first six months of 2019 and inducting more than 200 local workers onto the site.
“Latest figures provided to the Australian Industry Participation Authority show building contractors, service providers and material suppliers from the Liverpool, Campbelltown, Fairfield and Bankstown council areas have been heavily involved in the development,’’ says SIMTA.
