Adrian Black, AAP
A multinational freight giant has scrapped plans to build a rail hub at a controversial site after it was opposed by local community groups.
Pacific National has ditched plans to build the $5 billion, 550 hectare logistics terminal at the Little River site on the western edge of Melbourne.
The project ran into opposition from the local community and environmental groups, who said the hub – and the two million containers it would have handled each year – threatened local grasslands and wildlife.
The company has announced it will cease all environmental and planning processes related to the site.
“Pacific National has made this decision given the changed timelines for associated freight and infrastructure projects and economic factors which have impacted on the project business case,“ it said in a statement.
“Pacific National will continue to consider potential alternative terminal site options as they emerge to support efficient freight transport connectivity.“
Little River Action Group president Adrian Hamilton said he was delighted with the decision.
“The site has a rich ecosystem that is worth protecting,“ he said in a statement.
“It must remain a green wedge and it abuts our small peaceful town.“
Little River has a population of 1400 but the action group secured more than 5000 signatures opposing the terminal at the site before a protest in August.
“It would have been a tragedy for Victoria to lose more stands of remnant native vegetation. Natural Temperate Grasslands are under serious threat,“ Mr Hamilton said.
In Pacific National’s statement, the company thanked stakeholders, project partners and community members who engaged with the project and had their say.
The scrapped project came after the Allan government in May indefinitely shelved plans to build the Western Interstate Freight Terminal in Truganina in Melbourne’s west.
The project was first proposed in 2018 and was recommended as an urgent priority in 2021.
However, the former federal Morrison government’s preferred option, the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal in Melbourne’s north, was prioritised instead.
