The Federal Government has invited expressions of interest to develop a new freight hub in Sydney’s south west at Moorebank.
The government has selected Moorebank as the next major intermodal terminal to manage the growth of both interstate freight via Sydney and import-export freight that transits through Port Botany. Over the last 11 years, container trade at Port Botany has grown to more than 2 million containers each year.
This growth is expected to continue and will eventually impact the effectiveness of Port Botany to handle future demand.
The government says Moorebank is large enough to support interstate freight trains, handle expected growth in container numbers and is ideally situated between major road freight corridors.
Moorebank is fairly close to existing industrial sites and major freight markets in Western Sydney.
The terminal will operate as an open access facility to foster competition among users. Competing freight businesses must be able to operate at the terminal so as to increase economic efficiency and innovation.
“The Australian and NSW Governments look forward to working with private sector partners to deliver a future-focussed, infrastructure solution that will drive economic growth and safeguard the efficient, productive delivery of freight across the country,” the ministerial release says.
The Government has tasked the Moorebank Intermodal Company with overseeing the development of the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal. They are now seeking Expressions of Interest “from suitably experienced and qualified organisations” to build and operate the terminal.
Questions remain
The proximity of the government’s site to Qube Logistics’ own means there is a good possibility it may be merged with the Sydney Intermodal Terminal Alliance (SIMTA) site in a combined hub.
Qube Holdings is one of the front runners, and there are reports that the Moorebank Intermodal Company has recognised the SIMTA development in the expressions of interest document and will consider proposals to integrate the projects.”
The site is currently occupied by the Royal Australian Engineers School of Military Engineering. There is uncertainty surrounding the timing of Defence vacating the site, with some reports claiming it could be as late as 2018 or 2019.
