Visy Logistics has today confirmed it is investing in upgrading key logistics infrastructure at the former Norske Skog paper mill site north of Albury.
The undisclosed sum will upgrade selected areas of the 2.8 square kilometre site into a regional intermodal logistics park that will strengthen supply chain access for businesses across the Riverina, Visy said.
Visy also said that the key to the new investment is the restarting of rail services from the site daily to Melbourne and Sydney, scheduled to begin again in February next year.
Parts of the site will be repurposed to support import and export connectivity, domestic freight distribution, and regional industry growth.
The new intermodal park will support key Riverina industries including agriculture (grain and cotton), meat processing, timber and building products, FMCG, and bulk commodities, providing flexible solutions across containerised, bulk and loose freight for both domestic and international markets.
The site will feature:
- 20,000 square metres of warehousing for FMCG and bulk commodities
- 30,000 square metres of available hardstand and empty container park with reach stacker capability
- powered refrigerated container pads
- store, pack and load-out capability for bulk commodities and general freight
- AQIS authorised officers onsite
- direct road access supported by an onsite fleet of 40 A-double combinations
The Albury intermodal park will become Visy Logistics’ third warehousing operations in the Riverina, complementing its 12,000 square metre site in Tumut and 10,000 square metre facility in Wagga Wagga, located adjacent to the Visy-operated RIFL rail terminal.
Visy Logistics Country Manager Wayne Boxshall said the investment will deliver long-term benefits for regional exporters and importers alike.
“This investment will assist the Riverina in reaching Sydney and Melbourne ports via rail daily for both imports and exports, while also connecting the region to Visy’s global logistics network,” Boxshall said.
“By combining rail connectivity with a high-capacity onsite road fleet, we’re giving local producers and manufacturers competitive, reliable and scalable access to markets anywhere in Australia and around the world.”
Visy also said the redevelopment will generate new employment opportunities across warehousing, transport, maintenance and operations, while lowering the cost of moving raw materials and finished goods to and from the region.
The Riverina hub is scheduled to commence operations in February next year.