QRNational supports freight expansion in Victoria in national growth strategy

QRNational is supporting the expansion and development of freight facilities in Melbourne as part of the national expansion strategy.

QRNational, through its subsidiary CRT Group, is planning a $20m upgrade at its rail terminal and warehousing facility at Altona.

CRT Group provides integrated logistics solutions across three primary transport modes – road, rail and sea. It specialises in handling, packaging, warehousing and distribution of polymer, food ingredients and industrial products.

CRT Group has terminal and warehouse facilities at Yennora in Sydney and Altona. These facilities are serviced by QRNational’s interstate containerised freight services.

The Altona facility currently has capacity to service a 600m train and has a 6000 sqm warehouse QRNational and CRT Group are looking to develop the site to:

• Provide ongoing growth for CRT Group to service customers
• Maximise its ability to function as a rail terminal
• Consolidation of QRNational operations to Altona, which are currently located at Laverton
• Develop rail-connected warehousing

QR and CRT Group have developed a master plan for the site which will double its available rail capacity, allowing it to accommodate 2 x 600m trains and triple its available warehousing space (i.e. from 6000 to 18000 sq m).

A Development Application for the plan is currently being prepared for submission to council.

QR’s Chief Executive Officer, Bob Scheuber, said the expansion at Altona was another logical step in the growth strategy for the Queensland-based national freight company.

“We are keen to grow our rail freight business nationally with sufficient scope and scale, and a service offering that is attractive to customers,” he said.

“We want to provide an integrated rail based logistics service from Cairns to Perth. Expansion of current facilities and access to other areas of the network is a critical part of that strategy.”

Mr Scheuber said QR is also seeking access to a rail terminal in Melbourne capable of accommodating 1500m trains to be able to commence east-west rail services through to Perth. Altona can not be developed to accommodate trains longer than 600m.

He said QR has applied to Toll Holdings, seeking access to the South Dynon rail terminal in accordance with Toll’s Undertakings to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Victrack has plans to develop the North Dynon rail terminal into a multi-user facility and there has also been a recent announcement of a new metropolitan freight terminal to be developed on the Wholesale Markets site. QR would support the development of either facility to meet short to medium term terminal requirements in Melbourne.

QR also supports the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s Tottenham to West Footscray rail link project. Currently freight trains entering and leaving the Dynon Rail Terminal and Port of Melbourne experience significant congestion and delays.

CRT Group’s Port Shuttle, which operates between Altona and the Port of Melbourne is impacted by this congestion which affects its transit times compared with road and ultimately its cost competitiveness.

The project involves track upgrading and signalling system improvements problem. Direct access from Dynon to the port, including a grade separation of Footscray road is also required.

For further information:

Mark Hairsine
QR Corporate Affairs
Ph: 3235 5708 or 0418 877 574