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 – November 2025
We have been working collaboratively across the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to provide planning services and guidance for the future development of the Northern Freight Precinct (NFP) and surrounding areas, supporting the delivery of the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal (BIFT), located in the northern section of the NFP.
Since the Minister for Planning approved the BIFT Stage 1A PSA (Amendment GC249) in August 2025, we have continued to work with National Intermodal (NI) to facilitate planning services and guidance to support progress of BIFT Stage 1A.
Since our last update in September, we have:
- Continued to work with NI to progress planning for BIFT.
- Progressed background studies including technical assessment for drainage, transport, utilities, cultural heritage, bushfire and safety management assessments to help identify opportunities and constraints that will shape the place-based plan for the precinct.
- Progressed investigations and engagement with the relevant agencies on the drainage and Integrated Water Management (IWM) strategy for the precinct.
- Continued engagement with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to recognise and incorporate cultural heritage values and opportunities within the precinct.
- Continued engagement 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 to collaborate with agencies and councils while progressing and finalising the technical studies that will inform planning for the precinct. We will also continue developing the Place-Based Plan in readiness for agency validation.