By Oscar Parry
An advocacy alliance of councils in the west is continuing its push for government to prioritorise the Western Interstate Freight Terminal (WIFT) in Truganina, with the project considered by the state as not required in the short term.
LeadWest’s advocacy alliance consists of Melton, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, and Wyndham councils.
According to LeadWest chair and Melton councillor Phillip Zada, one of the group’s top priorities is the WIFT.
“Melbourne’s west is home to 50 per cent of existing interstate freight rail customers. In 2021, the state and commonwealth governments completed a joint investment case that recommended development of a new interstate freight terminal in Truganina … known as the WIFT,” Cr Zada said.
“The WIFT is supported by the supply chain and logistics industry as a critical investment need and was publicly identified as the state government’s preferred location. The WIFT will increase productivity, create approximately 1360 jobs during construction, 2000 ongoing jobs and be the catalyst for commercial investment to create 39,000 jobs,” he said.
“The Victorian government announced its decision to defer development of WIFT until additional capacity is needed. LeadWest calls on the state government to retain the WIFT as a priority and to move to protect land at Truganina for when WIFT is needed.”
According to a state government spokesperson, the state is working to boost freight capacity with new road and rail upgrades across the entire network while continuing to plan for the infrastructure projects needed by the growing population.
“Delivery of the [WIFT] will be deferred until additional terminal capacity is needed,” the spokesperson said.
Star Weekly understands that a Planning Scheme Amendment process will be used in the Chartwell East Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) area to ensure the state can protect, acquire, and develop land for the new freight terminal, and that given the federal government’s decision to prioritise delivery of Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal (BIFT) and the investment in terminals by the private sector, the additional capacity Western Interstate Freight Terminal (WIFT) would provide is considered by the state as not required in the short term.
In this year’s state budget, $6 million was allocated to continue planning and development activities for the future delivery of the WIFT.
