Northern Freight Precinct
The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) has been commissioned by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to provide planning services and advice for future development of the Northern Freight Precinct (NFP) and surrounds to assist with the delivery of the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal (BIFT) in Melbourne’s north.
The VPA is leading the preparation of a high-level precinct plan and infrastructure delivery plan for Northern Freight, working in consultation with City of Whittlesea, Mitchell Shire Council, State Government agencies, service authorities and landowners.
The Northern Freight Precinct (NFP), located in Beveridge is approximately 40km north of Melbourne’s CBD, in Whittlesea City Council. The precinct encompasses an area of 1,399ha, bounded by Merri Creek to the east, the Melbourne-Albury-Sydney Railway line to the west, the future Wallan East Part 2 Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) to the north, and the future E6/Outer Metropolitan Ring transport corridor and Donnybrook PSP to the south.
BIFT is one of a number of new intermodal terminals proposed and/or being developed to serve metropolitan Melbourne which will transform the freight and logistics in Victoria. Situated immediately adjacent to both Inland Rail and the Hume Freeway, NFP is ideally located to unlock the potential of Commonwealth’s investment in developing Inland Rail and will support broader industrial and commercial development in Melbourne’s north.
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If you have any other queries regarding the Northern Freight, please contact the project team.
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Interactive map of the Northern Freight Precinct
Project Status Update – July 2025
We have been collaborating with 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).
We have continued planning for the precinct 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 to identify opportunities and constraints while informing the preparation of the place-based plan for the precinct.
Since our last update in March, we have:
- Finalised the economics and retail needs assessment to inform planning for the precinct.
- 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 DTP, 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 technical studies to inform planning for the precinct. We will also be developing the Place-Based Plan in preparation for agency validation.