Construction on the Somerton Intermodal Terminal is officially underway, marked by a groundbreaking at the Austrak Business Park on Monday, 10 July.
Mayor of Hume City Council, Cr. Joseph Haweil was joined by the Hon Melissa Horne MP – Minister for Ports and Freight, Ivan Walters MP – State Member for Greenvale and Hume City Council CEO – Sheena Frost to welcome what is one of the largest privately funded infrastructure projects produced in Victoria.
The project is made possible with an incredible $400 million from the Aware Super owned Intermodal Terminal Company (ITC).
This is in addition to the $16.2 million received on behalf of the Victorian and Australian Governments to make it a key part of the Port Rail Shuttle Network.
By 2050, the state and federal governments' Port Rail Shuttle Network is expected to move 30% of Melbourne's containers by rail from Somerton, Altona and Dandenong South to the Port of Melbourne.
It has been predicted that as a key terminal in the Port Rail Shuttle Network, the Somerton Intermodal Terminal will remove approximately 500,000 truck trips off Melbourne's roads each year and cut carbon emissions by approximately 189,000 tonnes each year when operating at capacity.
This will result in increased safety and reduced pollution on Hume City's roads – which is a great outcome for residents and the local business community.
The construction phase of the terminal is expected to create 400 local jobs, providing a significant boost to employment in the region.
Once operational in 2025, the terminal will sustain 90 ongoing direct jobs which will be supported by the Council's Economic Development Department's Local Jobs for Local People Program.
The collaboration between ITC, Aware Super, Austrak, the Australian and Victorian governments and Council showcases the commitment to creating a sustainable and thriving logistics hub that will positively impact the entirety of Melbourne's North region.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hume City, Councillor Jospeh Haweil:
"Hume City Council is excited to welcome the extensive benefits that the Somerton Intermodal Terminal will bring to Hume City and to Melbourne's North region – including increased safety and reduced pollution on our local roads."
"Hume City Council welcomes the economic benefits this investment will provide, including more than 400 jobs during construction and 90 permanent jobs once the terminal is completed in 2025."
