Pacific National is proposing to develop a new intermodal rail terminal and surrounding warehousing precinct in Little River in Melbourne’s west.
The proposed Little River Logistics Precinct would be a critical hub in the national supply chain and ensure more freight volumes stay on rail rather than shifting to trucks.
The site has been identified because it is positioned on the main interstate rail line and close to the Princes Freeway, which would deliver efficient freight transport connectivity to nearby logistics companies, distribution centres, warehouses, shippers, and manufacturers.
If approved, the precinct would accommodate a rail freight terminal, internal rail sidings and access roads, maintenance facilities and warehouses, and support more than 3,600 ongoing jobs at capacity.
Community consultation in the planning process
The project is currently at the start of a formal planning and environmental approvals phase, and an Environment Effects Statement (EES) will be required for this project which is the state’s most comprehensive and transparent planning and environmental assessment process.
With the environmental approvals pathway now determined, in the coming months, there will be a range of opportunities for the community, residents, and other interested stakeholders to learn more about the project and have their say.
The first community drop-in sessions, are scheduled for Thursday, 21 March (4.30pm – 7pm) and Saturday, 23 March (10am – 12.30pm) at the Little River Mechanics Institute Hall. At these drop-in sessions, attendees are invited to drop in at any time and will have the chance to meet and ask questions of members of the Pacific National project team and some of the technical specialists, and to provide feedback on the proposal.
Environmental and technical studies
To date, Pacific National has completed a range of preliminary environmental and technical studies to inform the project and support the referrals. These studies, along with others still to be undertaken, will support the planning and environmental approvals process and the detailed design of the Little River Logistics Precinct.
These studies include land use and planning studies, design and other investigations, including: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Stormwater and flooding, Biodiversity (flora and fauna), Landscape and visual impacts, Traffic and transport, Air quality, and Acoustics.
Pacific National is also working closely with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) to better understand the biodiversity and cultural values of the land.
About Pacific National
As the country’s leading intermodal rail freight operator, Pacific National provides daily rail haulage services for more than 300 freight and logistics businesses. We deliver what matters for our customers, including supermarket freight, fresh and refrigerated farm produce, household and retail goods, manufactured products, and building and construction materials, by train across Australia’s mainland to where it needs to be to help keep Australia’s economy moving.
At Pacific National, we are committed to driving carbon efficiency in the national supply chain and shifting more freight from trucks onto trains to reduce total transport emissions and deliver a better future for our people, communities, and customers.
