20/04/2026
Project Status Updates
Project Status Update – April 2026
We have been collaborating across the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to provide planning services and advice supporting the future development of the Northern Freight Precinct (NFP) and surrounding areas. This includes the delivery of the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal (BIFT) in the northern part of the precinct.
Since the approval of the BIFT Stage 1A Planning Scheme Amendment (GC249) by the Minister for Planning in August 2025, we have continued working with National Intermodal (NI) to progress secondary approvals, enabling construction to commence on Stage 1A while also advancing planning for subsequent stages of BIFT.
Precinct planning for the NFP is being undertaken in two parts. NFP (North) which includes the BIFT, comprises the land to the north of Beveridge Road. Precinct planning for NFP (North) is being led by NI and will be facilitated by the VPA. The southern part of the precinct (NFP (South)) comprises the land to the south of Beveridge Road and precinct planning is being led by the VPA.
Since our last update in February 2026, we have:
- Continued collaboration with NI to progress planning for the BIFT.
- Commenced targeted consultation on the proposed realignment of the Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) for the future North East rail line connection to Outer Metropolitan Melbourne.
- Progressed landowner engagement on Third Party Funding arrangements for the NFP (South) Precinct Structure Plan (PSP).
- Progressed background and technical studies, such as drainage, transport, cultural heritage and utilities, to identify key opportunities and constraints that will inform the precinct’s place-based plan.
- Finalised the cultural values assessment and safety management study (gas pipeline) to inform future development and infrastructure coordination and across the precinct.
- Advanced investigations and agency engagement to support development of the drainage and Integrated Water Management (IWM) strategy.
- Continued engagement with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWCHAC) to recognise and embed cultural heritage values and opportunities within the precinct.
- Continued collaboration with Melbourne Water, City of Whittlesea, Mitchell Shire Council and other state government agencies to identify and address key strategic planning matters for the precinct.
In the coming months, we will continue collaboration with NI to progress planning for the BIFT and precinct planning for NFP (North). We will also work to finalise the technical studies to support precinct planning for NFP (South) and engage with agencies and councils to develop the place-based plan for NFP (South) in preparation for Agency Validation.