Freight Rail Capability
Ballarat is ideally situated along the interstate rail transport corridor between Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth; enabling Ballarat businesses and industry seamless access to Victoria’s freight transport network.
Each year, approximately 6.4Mt of freight is carried by road and rail - through Ballarat, from Melbourne to the Western Region of Victoria. In addition, 5.7Mt of freight is carried through Ballarat, from Western Victoria to Melbourne for interstate and international export. Over 85% of all freight is transported by road.
Construction of a new Intermodal Freight Hub is due to commence in 2007, at an estimated cost of $8.3 million. The new facility, to be located within the Walsh Industrial Estate, has the potential to effectively double the current freight rail capacity of the region; and consequently position Ballarat to meet the State Government’s ambitious target of 30% of all Statewide port-related freight by rail by 2010.
It is also anticipated that the new facility will act as a catalyst for further industrial development in the western part of the City, particularly in the areas of distribution, warehousing, manufacturing, transport and logistics. Flow-on benefits will include regional job creation, industry diversification, lower capital and operating costs, and increased global competitiveness.