Construction has officially commenced on the $1.62 billion Beveridge Intermodal Precinct, marking the start of delivery for what will become Australia’s largest logistics hub. Federal representatives turned the first sod this week, signalling the transition from planning to on‑ground works.

Located in Melbourne’s rapidly growing north, the precinct sits at the southern end of the Inland Rail corridor and is designed to shift significant freight volumes from road to rail, boosting national supply chain efficiency and resilience.

Early site preparation has begun, with major construction scheduled for early 2026.

A Nationally Significant Freight Terminal

Spanning 1,100 hectares, with 600 hectares developable, the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct will accommodate double‑stacked 1,800‑metre freight trains, connecting Melbourne with Perth via Parkes in NSW — and later Brisbane, once Inland Rail is complete.

Stage 1 is targeting operations by mid‑2028, providing Melbourne’s only terminal capable of handling double‑stacked Inland Rail services. Initial capacity is projected at 200,000 TEUs annually, increasing to 500,000 TEUs under Stage 1B.

The project is fully funded by the Australian Government and will incorporate:

• Automation and electrification
• Renewable energy integration
• 850,000sqm of warehousing
• Accommodation, food outlets and worker amenities

Major Economic and Workforce Benefits

The precinct is expected to deliver substantial economic and employment outcomes, including:

• 8,000 direct on‑site jobs
• Over 17,000 peak construction jobs, with 70 per cent expected to be filled by residents of Melbourne’s northern suburbs
• An estimated $14 billion economic uplift for Victoria

Freight operators will benefit from lower logistics costs, improved speed to market and reduced dependence on congested arterial routes — savings expected to flow through to consumers.

A Step Toward Lower Emissions

Once fully operational, the hub is forecast to:

• Remove 167,000 truck trips annually
• Replace up to 110 trucks per train
• Cut 12.1 million tonnes of CO2 over 25 years
• Reduce particulate emissions by 92 per cent compared with road transport

Around 500 hectares of the site will be preserved as green wedge, providing long‑term ecological and community benefits.

Supporting Infrastructure and Approvals in Place

The development will be supported by the $900 million Camerons Lane interchange, designed to manage truck volumes and improve traffic flow around the precinct.

Key approvals — including under the EPBC Act (EPBC 2023/09693) — have been secured, enabling construction to proceed.

Aligned with the Inland Rail review’s recommendation for a two‑terminal Melbourne strategy, the precinct strengthens Victoria’s plan to establish an outer‑northern freight belt as suburban growth accelerates.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King welcomed the milestone, emphasising the importance of rail in modern supply chains.
McEwen MP Rob Mitchell described it as the largest investment ever made in the region, while National Intermodal CEO James Baulderstone characterised the development as a “once‑in‑a‑generation” project transforming how freight moves across Australia.

With construction now underway, the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct positions Melbourne as a national freight powerhouse and plays a central role in advancing Australia’s decarbonisation and economic competitiveness.

Source: The Urban Developer / Sage Media Group