A $35 million logistics terminal is set to turn Parkes, NSW, into a centre of regional growth and freight, as part of the Inland Rail project.
The terminal, opened by Pacific National, will join SCT Logistics and Linfox to connect to the Federal Government’s $9.3 billion investment in the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack was onsite for the opening of the logistics terminal, and said the private sector investment will enhance productivity from Inland Rail and create an additional 90 jobs.
“This is a game-changer for Australian freight,” McCormack said.
“Construction started on the Parkes to Narromine leg of Inland Rail almost one year ago and already it has proven a boom for local small businesses while also creating almost 900 new jobs—370 of which are local people.”
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He said as industry’s confidence in Inland Rail grows there will be more investment in the regions, supporting local jobs and opportunities, as well as faster more efficient freight supply chains.
The North-West Link is already in operation and as more of Inland Rail comes online in the mid-2020s, the national freight rail network will be connected to all mainland state capital cities and major ports, with the logistics terminal ideally situated to take advantage of the fast, efficient and cost-competitive Melbourne to Brisbane rail connection.
New South Wales Regional Transport and Roads Minister Paul Toole said Parkes was ideally positioned at one of the key freight crossroads in Australia to become an inland port.
“The NSW Government wants to see Parkes reach its potential as a freight and logistics hub that will bring regional suppliers closer to their customers and help regional NSW take its product intrastate, interstate and international faster,” Toole said.
“This hub is testament to what can be achieved when three levels of government—Federal, State and Local—work together with industry to undertake good development and planning that considers what our regions need now and in the long-term.”