Unlocking Victoria’s new interstate freight precincts
Victoria’s freight plan, Delivering the Goods, aims to increase freight on rail and harness private and public sector investment in the state's freight network.
In 2021, we recommended developing a new interstate freight terminal in Truganina, in Melbourne’s west, known as the WIFT (Western Interstate Freight Terminal). This terminal would ensure Melbourne has the interstate rail freight terminal capacity it needs into the future.
Protecting land for Western Interstate Freight Terminal
Victoria is moving to protect land in Truganina for the future WIFT, confirming that a Planning Scheme Amendment process will be used for Chartwell East Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) area to ensure we can protect, acquire, and develop land for WIFT.
The first step towards protecting land required for WIFT includes making the Head TfV a referral authority for the Chartwell East PSP area.
The Commonwealth is developing the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal (BIFT) to support Inland Rail.
Unlocking land for industrial development
Additionally, we have confirmed that the Derrimut Fields PSP area is not required for WIFT, meaning it can be unlocked for industrial use. This 461-hectare parcel is at the heart of Melbourne’s industrial development in the west.
The land’s availability for industrial development will boost the area's supply of industrial real estate. The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) will manage the land release in the Derrimut Fields PSP area through its usual PSP process, which aligns with the 10-year plan for Melbourne’s greenfields.
Developing the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal
The Commonwealth is developing the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal (BIFT) to support Inland Rail operations, and the private sector is also expanding its terminals across Melbourne.
These new terminals will handle interstate freight and import and export container trade.
These Commonwealth and private sector terminals will provide sufficient capacity to handle forecast interstate freight volumes in Melbourne over the medium term.
While the WIFT remains a priority for the Victorian Government, its delivery will be deferred until when it’s needed.
The Government will now look at protecting land at Truganina for WIFT. This process may also help unlock land not required for WIFT for industrial development in the short term. To ensure industry certainty, we’re extending the interstate rail freight operations in the Dynon precinct beyond 2031.
The Department will continue working with key stakeholders as the planning process is determined to enable the protection of land at WIFT.
Fact sheet
Updated