08/09/2025
Project Status Updates
Project Status Update – September 2025
We have been collaborating across the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to provide planning services and guidance for the future development of the NFP and its surrounding areas to support the delivery of the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal (BIFT), located in the north of the NFP. On 15 August 2025, the Minister for Planning approved the BIFT Stage 1a PSA (Amendment GC249).
With the future development of the BIFT to be delivered by National Intermodal Corporation (NIC), we have been working with NIC to facilitate planning services and guidance for the BIFT Stage 1a Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA). Concurrently, we have been leading the planning for future development of the remaining areas of the NFP.
We have continued planning for the NFP by progressing background studies and technical assessments, including drainage, transport, arboriculture, utilities, land capability and cultural heritage assessments, in preparation for a high-level precinct plan and infrastructure delivery plan. These studies and assessments will help identify opportunities and constraints while informing the preparation of the place-based plan for the precinct.
Since our last update in July we have:
- Continued investigations on the drainage and Integrated Water Management (IWM) strategy for the precinct.
- Continued engagement with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to consider cultural heritage values and opportunities for the precinct.
- Continued engagement with, Melbourne Water, City of Whittlesea, Mitchell Shire Council and other state government agencies to identify key strategic planning issues for the precinct.
In the coming months, we will continue to work with agencies and councils while focusing on progressing and finalising technical studies to inform planning for the precinct. We will continue to develop our Place-Based Plan in preparation for agency validation.