By Tate Papworth
There are fears the development of a Western Interstate Freight Terminal (WIFT) could significantly impact Brimbank.
Cr John Hedditch tabled a motion during Brimbank council’s August meeting, calling for details of all possible freight routes and for details surrounding noise, emissions and other impacts on amenity, livability and health and wellbeing for impacted communities.
“The WIFT is a project that is dear to people in the west’s hearts,” he said. “We have a particular issue getting freight from the ports away from the city. Trucks are a major issue.
“This is a complex project, but it’s a project that brings freight through this city.
“It also connects freight to the inland and national rail project, which would see all sorts of trains running eventually along the freight lines – trains that can range from 1.8 to 3.6 kilometres in length, double-decker container trains which have significant weight and have a lot of issues with noise and dust that go with them.”
According to the Victorian Department of Transport website: “The proposed Western Interstate Freight Terminal will include the construction of an interstate rail freight terminal and warehousing precinct at Truganina in Melbourne’s west and a rail link to the interstate rail freight network.”
Cr Hedditch wants Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne to meet the council and provide clarity around routes and impact mitigation strategies.
“There are general concerns that should the route, as anticipated, travel through the various parts of Brimbank – from Tottennham in Maribyrnong, right through Sunshine, West Sunshine, Albion, Ardeer, Deer Park and out through Derrimut – that it will be a very big impact on local community … I guess we’re keen to understand what that might mean in terms of route.”
