DEPUTY Prime Minister Richard Marles was a special guest at the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct on Friday, getting an insight into how the project was tracking along.
Mr Marles was joined by Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell, with both federal members briefed on the project goals by National Intermodal CEO James Baulderstone, before being shown progress works by workers across the project.
The opportunity was given for Mr Marles to ask questions about the project, understanding more about how the project will boost the local economy, supporting jobs and delivering much-needed infrastructure for the growing Mitchell Shire Council and City of Whittlesea communities.
“At Beveridge , we met with Intermodal CEO James Baulderstone and other project representatives to inspect the work underway on the major freight and logistics terminal,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Beveridge will be an integral part of Victoria’s freight and logistics network and it is a really exciting to see work underway.
“Projects like this create jobs and investment locally while strengthening the infrastructure we need to support our growing population and economy.
“It was great to have the Deputy PM here to see firsthand the impact this will have on our community.”
The Federal Government has invested over $1.6 billion into the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct, including development of the Cameron’s Lane interchange, assisting freight traffic movement.
Also on the agenda on Friday was a visit to Mernda for the continued development of the Mernda Sports Precinct.
The precinct is an $11.5 million investment, which is set to deliver a four-court indoor stadium and eight outdoor courts, with the indoor stadium also creating a 1000-seat flexible stadium.
“The stadium and outdoor courts will give local families and sporting clubs places to play, get active and come together,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Mernda and surrounding communities have long needed this infrastructure and it has taken a Federal Labor government to invest in what our growing community needs.
“This means more opportunities for kids, women and people of all abilities to get involved in sport close to home.”
City Of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox was present at Mernda.
“It was great to meet the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Richard Marles and the Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell MP on site today to showcase this project. The stadium and sports courts at Mernda are critical infrastructure for our growing community,” he said.
“A huge number of our community are having to leave our municipality to play sport. Once complete, the complex’s four indoor multipurpose courts and eight outdoor netball courts will support more than 1000 people to play netball locally which will bring important wellbeing and health benefits.
“This project is Council’s single biggest infrastructure investment and not something that we can deliver without financial support from other levels of Government. We welcome the Australian Government’s support of $11.5 million towards the construction of the indoor stadium and outdoor courts.”
Mr Mitchell said the two projects were very important for the growing community.
“Today we’ve seen two very different projects, but they have something important in common. They’re both about building the future of Melbourne’s north,” he said.
“At Beveridge we’re investing in the freight infrastructure and jobs that will support our growing economy. At Mernda, we’re investing in the community facilities families need as our population grows.”
