Latrobe City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to a proposed freight transport logistics hub in Morwell’s industrial area, despite the project failing to attract firm support from the private sector.
While a recently completed ‘Request for Proposal’ process, which called for plans from private companies to operate and develop the Gippsland Logistics Precinct, received interest from “a number of businesses”, no proposal was actually received.
Latrobe City Mayor Sandy Kam said council had committed to extend the process, keeping it open for “the foreseeable future” after recent updates to the project plan.
“The RFP will remain open so that council is in a position to accept proposals from the proponents of coal projects, or any other business wishing to operate the site,” Cr Kam said.
Logistics company QUBE is understood to be in advanced discussions with Australian Paper, in an attempt to provide third-party freight options from the Maryvale Mill rail terminal.
Cr Kam said if the plan eventuated, it would open up the opportunity for local businesses to ship products by rail to metropolitan freight hubs and the Port of Melbourne.
QUBE recently secured Australian Paper’s national freight contract, which currently is the only Gippsland business to freight product out of the region via rail.
