RiFL project on track as Council calls for tenders

The next major step in the multi-million dollar development of the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) hub at Wagga Wagga’s business park was taken this week towards the project’s design and construction.

Wagga City Council has advertised a request for tenders in the process to engage a contractor to deliver works across the scope of the $50M project.

Council’s Manager City Strategy Tristan Kell said the project will now start to move quickly towards a scheduled start date of July 2020.

Mr Kell said a successful tender process may see a contract awarded for the design and construction of RiFL in March next year.

“Council has worked hard behind the scenes during the past 18 months in particular to secure funding for the project which promises to be a massive development for Wagga and the wider region,” Mr Kell said.

“The scope of this project needs to be highlighted as potentially one of the most important developments in the city in recent decades.

“It is the impetus for kick-starting the Special Activation Precinct at Bomen which will provide 6000 jobs in the next 20 to 30 years.

“RiFL is also a leverage for the Inland Rail making Wagga a major inland port along Australia’s eastern seaboard.”

Council recently secured $29.18M in State Government funding which will support two key initiatives to ensure the full potential of economic gains are realised at Bomen.

These initiatives centre on the industrial estate’s enabling infrastructure, including civil works, utilities and roads, and also digital connectivity for new and existing businesses in the enterprise area.

Mr Kell said the overall objective is to make Bomen a more attractive, efficient and affordable place to do business.

“This sort of funding goes towards the infrastructure which will help Bomen deliver on its economic promise and will ultimately create new jobs which drives regional growth and productivity.”

The 11 October funding announcement followed a State Government announcement of $14.4M in August last year towards the construction of the RiFL rail siding.

The announcement came just days after Visy Logistics was confirmed as a private partner in the development of the freight hub.

Council will deliver the RiFL project and Visy will operate the terminal. Mr Kell said Council was aiming to have the hub operational by late 2021 or early 2022.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said it was pleasing to see the project moving forward on the back of significant funding from the State Government.

“Bomen will be the economic driver for this city for many decades into the future. This is a great outcome for the city and to see the RiFL project getting closer to a start means we can look forward to another major project evolving in Wagga Wagga,” Cr Conkey said.

The unique advantages of the Bomen/RiFL Hub site include:

• Extensive upfront land use planning with existing industrial zoned land (and future Special Activation Precinct)
• Large lot size availability, land parcel sizes ranging through to 10-15ha+.
• Ability to cater for the variety of industrial and businesses requirements.
• Access and connectivity (high productivity vehicles).
• Direct rail interface.
• Fewer constraints.
• Strategic location.
• Improved digital connectivity.
• Benefits to NSW economy – Business expansion (new jobs), cross border and international investment.
• Access to domestic and international freight markets.