WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will undertake a feasibility study on developing a freight and logistics hub in Ararat, Victorian Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford said.
The study will identify Ararat’s role and function in the freight network and examine the opportunity for developing a transport and industry hub in the Ararat City Council local government area.
Ararat is located on a major road freight route from Adelaide to Melbourne at the junction of the Western and Pyrenees highways. Ararat also has an existing rail service and direct rail access to Victoria’s major ports. The proposed hub would move produce to local, interstate and international markets more quickly and efficiently.
Not only is its location critical to the movement of freight throughout the region and the state, it is situated in a prime agricultural region for grain, livestock, and wine production.
The study will provide accurate data and analysis about the need for a freight and logistics hub and analyse its potential benefits, including reduced costs due to improve efficiency, a centralised point for North- South and East-West interchange, the ability to off load onto larger or smaller vehicles, the ability for transport firms to use Ararat as a logistics centre.
“This feasibility study is an important step forward in identifying how we may improve rail and road freight interconnectivity and increase services that are critical to our region’s growth,” Jaala Pulford said.
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