Qube operates container parks at all major shipping lines along the eastern seaboard. Photo: Qube

QUBE IS advancing plans for a multi-modal freight and logistics facility at Murtoa in Victoria’s Wimmera region, aimed at connecting grain supply chains to the Port of Melbourne by rail and road.

Planning documents recently lodged with Yarriambiack Shire Council outline a two-stage project featuring an initial 500m rail terminal, bunkers and infrastructure for grain-receival and storage, a site office, and a domed workshop.

The site will accommodate up to 500 containers, with a reach stacker transferring them between road and rail.

It is expected to handle an average of four train services a week.

The logistics company has an existing leased site at Horsham, and the proposed Murtoa facility is set to become its permanent home in the region.

The Horsham operation moves approximately 420 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) per week to the Port of Melbourne via road.

The Murtoa facility is expected to shift a significant amount of freight on to rail to remove approximately 100 road-train movements.

The facility will be in the vicinity of GrainCorp’s Murtoa sub-terminal, understood to be the largest of its kind in Victoria.

Qube Logistics said it was pleased to be working with the Yarriambiack Shire Council and Regional Development Victoria on its plans for a new facility “on a recently acquired parcel of land in Murtoa”.

“The development of the site, which will see Qube shift from a leased facility in Horsham to establish a permanent footprint in the region, will expand employment opportunities both during the construction phase and ongoing, as we look to extend our operations and services to an even wider variety of customers and industries throughout the region,” the statement said.

“As well as providing a hub for road-transport services, our new Murtoa site will also include a rail siding, which will mean Qube will also be able to facilitate exports from the region direct to the Port of Melbourne via rail.

“This will help open new markets for some customers and alleviate some of the truck movements in the region and provide a less emissions intensive means of transport to the port.

“We’re proud of our continued investment in the Wimmera region and look forward to turning the first sod on our new Murtoa home.”

Yarriambiack Shire chief executive officer Tammy Smith said the proposal aligns with Council’s long-term economic development objectives, specifically backing more freight on rail.

“Council has been championing opportunities to add value to our agricultural sector, and Qube’s end-to-end logistics model could unlock new economic benefits for our Shire and wider region,” Ms Smith said.

“The potential to provide exporters with direct access to global markets through rail connections to the Port of Melbourne is an exciting opportunity for our community.

“We actively support the development of rail sidings, terminals and freight-transfer infrastructure that protects our road network while strengthening regional supply chains.”

Ms Smith noted that rail freight plays a critical role in supporting regional growth while reducing wear and tear on local roads.

“Given the significant investment required to address renewal demands across our road network, it is important we support initiatives that move more freight by rail where practical.

“Rail offers a more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution for transporting large freight volumes over long distances.”

Qube has become a major grain trader and logistics operator in New South Wales in recent years.

The company operates the Quattro terminal at Port Kembla, and the Newcastle Agri Terminal, as well as up-country sites at Narrabri, Coonamble, and Narromine.

It has recently moved into the Western Australian grains space with the acquisition of a facility at the Port of Albany.

Qube also has Toowoomba-based grain traders, as well as logistics operations at the Toowoomba Freight Terminal at Charlton.

Source: Qube, Yarriambiack Shire Council