The following letter to the editor was sent in response to an article, "Defence 'blocks' Port Botany proposal", Australian Financial Review, 21/12/11
Printable version: Letter to Editor Moorebank IMT [
- 133 KB]
The Editor
Australian Financial Review
Dear Editor
Moorebank IMT
I refer to article on page 3 of the Australian Financial Review of 21 December 2011, titled Defence ‘blocks’ Port Botany proposal.
The Commonwealth is currently undertaking a feasibility study into an intermodal terminal (IMT) on a Defence site at Moorebank in Sydney. The study is on track to be considered by the Australian Government in the context of the 2012-13 budget.
Throughout the development of the study, Defence has worked closely and collegially with the Department of Finance and Deregulation and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport as part of a high level steering committee to assist in the development of the best solution which meets the nation’s freight policy requirements.
Contrary to the suggestion in your article, discussions regarding Defence’s potential move from the Moorebank site to Holsworthy are in fact well advanced. Defence is undertaking a complementary study into consolidating its operations that has been conducted in a spirit of great cooperation.
The Moorebank site currently houses the School of Military Engineering (SME) and other Defence units that support Australia’s deployment in Afghanistan. Accordingly the relocation of Defence must ensure that its operational requirements can continue to be met while the move takes place.
This fact is an important consideration but not a barrier to the timely development of an IMT that delivers Sydney the future freight capacity it needs. The study has involved extensive consultation with the freight and logistics industry which has indicated both strong support for the project and a likely need for additional capacity by 2017-18.
Sources which suggest anything other than the greatest cooperation by all parties, including Defence, are incorrect. The Commonwealth is determined to work towards an optimum outcome which will be in the Nation’s interest and benefit the people of NSW.
Yours sincerely
Jan Mason
Deputy Secretary
Chair of the Moorebank Steering Committee
21 December 2011
Contact for information on this page: Moorebank Project Office