A $750 million "inland port" at Lyndhurst has been touted as a key for unlocking congestion caused by thousands of trucks each day on Monash Freeway and other main arterial roads.
Developer Salta Properties is proposing to build a railway freight terminal that would allow trains to replace freight trucks delivering containers from the Port of Melbourne to the south-eastern suburbs.
The 187-hectare site (pictured top) for the mooted project is in paddocks bounded by Taylors, Glasscocks and Bayliss roads, next to the former Lyndhurst railway station.
The plan has been backed by industry leaders seeking alternatives to the 1000-plus freight vehicles clogging Greater Dandenong's roads each morning peak.
However, the plan has not yet been submitted to Greater Dandenong Council.
On its website, Salta claims its plan would significantly reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance executive officer Paul Dowling said the inland port was needed in
conjunction with an upgrade to the
Port of Hastings to "get semis off the road".
Greater Dandenong Council chief executive John Bennie said the "very exciting" proposal was a "job creator" and would reinforce the municipality's manufacturing role.
"We understand it's contingent on a third or fourth railway line to that site."
Triplication of the Dandenong line was State Government policy in 2006 but was omitted from the 2008 Victorian Transport Plan.
Professor Graham Currie, of Monash University's Institute of Transport Studies, said:
"It would need more than just duplicating the line.
"Even if they did that, the trains are overcrowded, about 30per cent beyond their [passenger] capacity at peak times."
He also doubted if the project would be economically viable, since trucks had the advantage over trains of being able to deliver from the port to any door in Melbourne. "Railways are efficient at bulk handling of grains and commodities.
"You'll find with most whitegoods or perishables that you've got to get it quicker to producers.
"With perishables, it's not something you can have hanging around for days and days in a railway yard."
Professor Currie agreed with the need to reduce freight truck numbers, which are expected to double in the next 10-15 years.
One solution Professor Currie offered was to charge freight trucks by the kilometre, encouraging much-needed efficiency.
"On average, for half the time a truck is on the road, it's empty," he said.
RACV traffic and roads chief engineer Peter Daly said a better rail network and a Western Ring Road-Eastern Freeway link were needed to improve freight flows around Melbourne.
"We do know freight growth is going to happen.
"Naturally, demand for goods by road and rail will increase."
Salta executive chairman Sam Tarascio did not return the Journals calls.
HEAVY LIFTING
Manufacturing freight vehicle movements in south-east (2006 am peak)
■Greater Dandenong 1705
■Kingston 1351
■Monash 930
■Knox 958
■Casey 278
■Freight volumes are expected to grow by close to 50per cent by 2020 and 100per cent by 2030.
■More than 20,000 freight vehicles use the Monash Freeway, CityLink and West Gate Freeway each day.
Sources: Transport Demand Information Atlas for Victoria, Victorian Freight Network Strategy, Victorian Transport Plan
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