Construction has officially begun on the $1.62 billion Beveridge Intermodal Precinct in Melbourne’s north, with the Australian government turning the first sod to launch Australia’s largest logistics hub.
Located at the southern end of the Inland Rail freight corridor, this open-access facility aims to revolutionise freight movement between Victoria and interstate markets by shifting cargo from roads to rail.
Site preparation works are now underway, setting the stage for main construction in early 2026.
Spanning a 1,100-hectare site with 600 hectares developable, the precinct will handle double-stacked trains up to 1,800 metres long, connecting Melbourne to Perth via Parkes in New South Wales and eventually Brisbane upon Inland Rail completion.
Stage 1 targets mid-2028 operations, delivering Melbourne’s only terminal for double-stacked Inland Rail trains with capacity for 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, expanding to 500,000 TEUs by Stage 1B.
Fully funded by the federal government, the project incorporates automation, electrification, and renewables for sustainability, alongside 850,000 square metres of warehousing and amenities like food outlets and accommodation.
The precinct promises significant job creation, with 8,000 direct roles on-site and over 17,000 at peak construction, 70 per cent filled by Melbourne’s northern suburbs residents.
It is projected to generate a $14 billion economic uplift for Victoria by enhancing supply chain efficiency and competition.
Businesses will benefit from lower freight costs, faster product delivery, and reduced reliance on congested roads, ultimately passing savings to consumers.
By fully operationalising, the hub will remove 167,000 truck trips annually — each train replacing up to 110 trucks — slashing CO2 emissions by 12.1 million tonnes over 25 years and particulate pollution by 92 per cent compared to road transport.
Around 500 hectares will be preserved as green wedge for long-term environmental and social gains.
Complementary infrastructure includes a $900 million Camerons Lane interchange to manage truck traffic and ease local congestion.
Critical approvals, including under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC 2023/09693), were secured earlier, enabling the shift from planning to delivery.
Endorsed by the Inland Rail review’s two-terminal strategy for Melbourne, construction aligns with Victoria’s push for outer-northern freight hubs amid urban growth.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King hailed it as a “major milestone”, emphasising rail’s role in supply chains.
McEwen MP Rob Mitchell called it the region’s biggest investment, while National Intermodal CEO James Baulderstone described it as a “once-in-a-generation” reshaper of freight logistics.
This precinct positions Melbourne as a freight powerhouse, supporting national decarbonisation and economic resilience amid Inland Rail’s 1,600km transformation.
