The Brumby Government is proposing a number of new trucking and rail hubs as part of its new rail plan
The Brumby Government is looking at introducing trucking and intermodal rail hubs across Victoria as part of its new rail plan.
Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas suggested the new hubs during a freight forum held in Melbourne, saying they may be be necessary for the Government’s new rail plan to succeed.
The Government is also investigating whether to cosntruct hubs at Laverton, Dandenong, Craigieburn, Donnybrook and country Horsham, Drouin, Shepparton and Warrnambool.
The Improving the Productivity of Freight in Victoria forum was headed-up by Pallas, with key industry figures invited to discuss issues related to the future transport plan.
The Department of Transport’s Director of Freight and Logistics John Clarebrough says short-haul rail is not commercially viable and rail will only succeed if trucking and intermodal hubs are operating alongside interstate trains to eliminate doube stacking.
It is rumoured Pallas is currently identifying areas for the construction of the outer ring road in Melbourne to align “western and northern activities”.
However, he says industry should not “hold your breath”.