Moorebank hits residents’ hurdle

The Federal Government’s proposed Moorebank Intermodal Terminal development has hit a vocal residents’ hurdle, supported by the Liverpool City Council.

Following the completion of the Southern Sydney Freight Line, currently suspended but due for completion in 2012, the proposed Moorebank Intermodal Terminal would have direct access to Port Botany, with the freight trains being able to travel all the way without having to use passenger lines.

The residents, however, are concerned about an increase in truck movements in the area as containers are distributed by road throughout western and south western Sydney.

The terminal is expected to service areas of Sydney as far afield as Penrith, Eastern Creek and beyond, as these areas have easy access from Liverpool via the M7 Motorway.

While there is a proposed terminal at Eastern Creek, neither the land on which it is to be located nor the rail access route have been identified, and with the impending closure of Patrick’s Camellia terminal, the west will be completely road transport-dependent, save for a small terminal at Yennora.

The mayor of Liverpool, Cr Wendy Waller, told listeners of ABC Radio the government’s consultation has to date been woefully inadequate and residents of nearby Wattle Grove were worried about the increase in noise and air pollution.

The Federal Government has committed almost $71 million to the terminal project in this year’s budget, out of a total of approximately $300 million required. There has been no firm date set so far for when the Defence Department will vacate the site, which it currently occupies.