THE Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal Precinct at Dooen has moved forward with Horsham Rural City Council adopting a new planning scheme amendment.
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The amendment will open up land surrounding the terminal to related businesses.
The amendment will include re-zoning farming land for businesses designed to improve the connection between produce and freight services.
The plan will apply environmental overlays to the area to buffer industrial development from houses.
The amendment will also manage the separation of grain storage, food-related activity and mineral sands storage.
Cr David Grimble said this was an important document and would advance the industrial estate planned at the terminal.
“This paves the way to how the estate will develop,” he said.
“It is an important estate, especially when looking at connectivity – not only through rail but also through state and federal highways.
“We have both road and intermodal access out there and this will pave the way for bulk commodities across a range of different products.”
Cr Grimble said there were already tenants at the industrial estate that were well established.
“It’s interesting to think that in 10 to 15 years time, what this area might end up looking like,” he said.
Cr Mark Radford said it was important not to underestimate the value of the terminal.
“In the past year, we’ve had new businesses putting up their hand to move out there,” he said.
“This planning work is the next step.”
Cr Radford acknowledged nearby landholders who had been part of the process.
Mayor Pam Clarke said having a planning report and recommendations was vital to the future of the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal precinct.
“We need to keep moving forward with this,” she said.
“Having food away from other industries is also really important.”