Work on the Tamworth Intermodal Freight Facility, within the Tamworth Global Gateway Park, is well underway, with the facility expected to be fully operational later this year.
20,000 tonnes of cement stabilised gravel will be laid on site this week over a span of 21,000 square metres. The 600 metre long cement pad will provide a solid foundation for freight containers, and enable the transfer of goods from truck to train.
Visiting the site this week, Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb and Sean Hovey, General Manager for Qube – Australia’s largest integrated provider of import and logistic export services – said it was pleasing to see strong progress at the site. The facility will enable both importers and exporters, as well as other local businesses to have competitive rail access directly to ports, opening North West NSW up to international markets.
“It’s tremendously exciting to see Council’s Blueprint 100 strategic vision come to life, and that is certainly true today”, said Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb.
“This is all in support of our local economy, creating new jobs and opportunities for the industries in our region to expand”, he said.
Mr Hovey said the new facility underscored Qube’s commitments to regional NSW and to expanding Qube’s rail services offering, as increasing volumes of freight shift from road to rail.
“We’re thrilled to see this vision for Tamworth starting to become a reality and we welcome the strong interest we are already seeing from primary producers to get access to the completed facility and expedite the delivery of their products to domestic and international markets.
“The Tamworth Intermodal Freight Facility will support communities throughout the region with competitive and cost-effective freight and logistics services. But more than that – it will help get trucks off local and regional highways, making them safer for local families, and it will contribute to emissions reductions.
“Qube is grateful to the Tamworth Regional Council for the strong spirit of cooperation and collaboration that is key to this development and we look forward to continuing to work together to get the facilit y open in September this year, weather permitting.”
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson welcomed QUBE to Tamworth and said he looked forward to continuing to support the city’s growing import and export businesses.
“I pushed hard to the reactivation of the West Tamworth rail line, because I know how important it is for our businesses to have global markets at their fingertips,” Mr Anderson said.
“The key to unlocking growth for our business community is connecting our producers to larger, more diverse markets,” Mr Anderson said.
“The Tamworth Global Gateway Park is a significant investment in our future and businesses have been investing in the park on the back of the commitment to include freight rail.”
“I know that primary producers across the Northwest will be keeping a keen eye on the opportunities for rail transport of their goods.”
“Whether it’s by rail, road, or air, I know that transport is the key to unlocking regional growth and economic development, which is why it’s so exciting to see progress on the industrial estate in and around the airport, and the West Tamworth rail line.”
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