A direct rail freight is set to be built between the Port of Melbourne and Dandenong South to help make rail freight cheaper for businesses as well as remove trucks from suburban roads with a $28 million investment from the Australian and Victorian Governments.
The new track is going to connect the main rail line with Dandenong South-based Salta Properties freight hub, helping bust congestion in the region’s local road network.
The track will also link to the Port of Melbourne’s $125 million on-dock rail project to allow for shuttles to directly access the port from Dandenong South.
This project is the next step towards the delivery of the Port Rail Shuttle Network that will bust congestion around the Port of Melbourne as well as cut transport costs for freight by up to 10 per cent and reduce truck trips on suburban roads by about 100,000 a year.
Salta Properties will be building the freight terminal while building on the strengths of south east Melbourne as a logistics and freight hub.
“We are backing this vital freight rail connection to support Melbournians through the pandemic and unlock private sector investment and economic growth into the long-term.
“The new spur line will connect the intermodal freight terminal at Dandenong South to Cranbourne Line. As part of the Port Rail Shuttle Network it will help cut the number of trucks on inner Melbourne roads by up to 100,000 each year and support hundreds of jobs during construction and as part of the terminals ongoing operations,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
The Port Rail Shuttle Network development is aimed at modernising Melbourne’s existing transport networks to help reduce congestion on roads and help cut costs for businesses that opt to use rail freight.
“We’re making rail freight a more attractive option for businesses, and this investment means containers can be transported by rail the entire way from the Port of Melbourne to Dandenong South.
“It will reduce congestion at the port gate and cut the high cost of the last mile that so often disadvantages containers moved by rail,” Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said.
This multi-million-dollar project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, each contributing $18.3 million and $9.7 million respectively.
This project is also part of the State Government’s work to continue supporting the Port of Melbourne – which injects about $6 billion to the State economy each year and is a vital part of Victoria’s supply chain.
“Construction and ongoing operation on f the new rail connection would be welcomed by the local community.
“It will build on the strengths of Dandenong South as one of the largest manufacturing and employment hubs in Victoria,” Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams said.
Works on this project are going to be undertaken by the Level Crossing Removal Project as part of the $1 billion Cranbourne Line Upgrade.
Source: Premier of Victoria; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Infrastructure Magazine
