A $750M ILLION 'inland port' at Lyndhurst has been touted as a key to 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 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 regional main roads.
In a submission to the State Government late last year, Kingston manufacturers cited road congestion and inefficiencies at the Port of Melbourne as major obstacles to growth. The plan, however, has not yet been submitted to Greater Dandenong Council.
On its website, Salta claims the 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".
The combination of the two would ease congestion on roads such as the Monash Freeway, caused by freight trucks heading to Melbourne's south-east from the Port of Melbourne, he said.
"It's critical for us to get the semis off the road to improve efficiency and liveability."
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, set to double in number in the next 10-15 years.
The RACV's traffic and roads chief engineer Peter Daly said a better rail network and linking the Western Ring Road and Eastern Freeway were needed to improve freight flows.
"We do know freight growth is going to happen. Naturally, demand for goods by road and rail will increase.
"If the Port of Hastings were to become a major port, that would present significant transport challenges by road and rail."
Salta executive chairman Sam Tarascio did not return calls.
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