Federal politician wants the proposed Moorebank intermodal terminal shifted to Eastern Creek, claiming current location is unsuitable
By Brad Gardner | September 21, 2012
The proposed Moorebank intermodal terminal should be shifted north to Eastern Creek, according to a federal MP, who claims the current location is unsuitable.
Hughes MP Craig Kelly, whose electorate includes the site where the terminal is due to be built, says Moorebank is already under strain from existing traffic problems, insufficient road infrastructure and an already high level of airborne pollution in the area.
Due to be built by 2017 on land currently occupied by the Department of Defence, the terminal will feature a rail line to Port Botany to put more freight on rail. There are also plans to turn it into an interstate terminal after 2029.
“There is a better solution…Eastern Creek has already been recommended by many studies as the best location for Sydney,” Kelly says.
“I hope that the [Federal] Government will have a look at this. Moorebank is not the right location for this.”
Locals oppose the construction of the terminal over concerns it will lead to noise and air pollution and traffic congestion.
Kelly has refuted government claims the terminal will reduce truck numbers on Sydney roads by 3,300. He says trucks will just start their journey from Moorebank instead of Port Botany and that traffic on the Hume Highway will increase significantly.
“This is completely unacceptable for the people of Liverpool and for the people who use the Hume Highway,” he says.
“Another concern with the traffic is that our local roads, such as Nuwarra, Moorebank and Heathcote roads, simply are not designed to handle the increased number of B-doubles that will be using it and moving container trucks.”
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has previously said the terminal will affect residents but that it will also improve productivity.
The tender process to build the terminal will begin next year. The private sector will be responsible for building and operating the facility.
