The state government is seeking public comment on a new rail-based transport connection in Kwinana to alleviate heavy vehicles using main roads between Fremantle and Forrestfield.
The state government is seeking public comment on a new rail-based transport connection in Kwinana to alleviate heavy vehicles using main roads between Fremantle and Forrestfield.
Planning Minister John Day said he believes the terminal is an opportunity to create a new rail-based transport node for the southern corridor.
The potential development of intermodal facilities in the Kwinana area would enable efficient container transfer by rail into and out of the area and to all parts of Australia.
Alleviating heavy vehicles using main roads between Fremantle and the existing freight terminals in the Kewdale-Forrestfield areas was a primary concern for safety and environmental reasons.
"This is as well as creating capacity for growth in intermodal freight operations in the Perth region," Mr Day said.
"The 'Kwinana Intermodal Terminal Site Evaluation Final Report', released for public comment today, discusses location options, concept design and layout for a modern terminal in the style of a 'freight village'.
"It also identifies the Latitude 32 Industry Zone, between Russell and Rowley Roads, as the preferred site for the future new freight terminal."
LandCorp will develop this 1,400 hectare site, formerly known as the Hope Valley-Wattleup Redevelopment Project, as the state's largest industrial zone.
Mr Day said there were no immediate plans to commence development but planning to do so was essential for the future.
"Forward planning for new intermodal facilities to develop efficient functioning of the State's freight network is critical," he said.
"The Liberal-National Government's aim is to ensure land is identified and reserved for this purpose through appropriate planning processes."
Current intermodal terminal operations, mainly in Kewdale/Forrestfield, would eventually come under pressure from increasing road traffic volume and the physical constraints of the individual terminals.
The terminal concept envisages a 133 hectare core terminal area, abutted by an industry park and supporting land uses, as well as strategic and logistical links with the proposed Kwinana Outer Harbour port container facility and the private port proposal at James Point.
Mr Day said planning scheme amendments associated with both the private and public port proposals would be progressed quickly.
It is anticipated that the terminal would primarily service the interstate freight task, with a smaller proportion of the throughput being intrastate.
"The next step is to consider ways to formally integrate the intermodal terminal concept into LandCorp's structure planning for the area," the Minister said.
"To assist and inform this process a public comment period, commencing today and concluding on January 30, 2009, will enable the business community and the community to access the report and submit their views on the proposed facility."
