Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub

Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub open for business | 01 Dec 2022

The multimillion dollar Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub, a core feature of the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct, officially opened today and is set to increase freight capacity and economic growth for the region.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads The Hon Sam Farraway and Visy Logistics Country Manager Mr Lee Schmelich officially declared the rail and intermodal facility open on Thursday (1 December).

The RIFL Hub includes a 4.6 kilometre rail master siding connecting to the main southern railway, funded by the NSW Government Fixing Country Rail program and the intermodal terminal, co-funded by Wagga Wagga City Council and Visy Logistics.

The RiFL Hub will deliver significant benefits and strengthen the regional economy, creating opportunities for businesses looking to relocate from metropolitan areas and establish in regional NSW.

Project update | 2 Nov 2022

Construction of the Riverina Intermodal Freight and  Logistics Hub is progressing well.

Practical completion has been achieved for Packages A (Rail) and B (Terminal).

Visy Logistics are in the final stages of preparing the Terminal operations and are expected to commence onsite this month.

Package C (Subdivision) and D (132kv underground connection) are in progress.

Old overhead line and poles have been removed and subdivision earthworks are in progress.

Upon completion, the hub is expected to deliver significant benefits, driving growth, creating jobs and increasing productivity across the city and region.

Milestone marked for RiFL Hub project at Bomen | 25 Mar 2022

The multi-million dollar Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub project at Bomen in Wagga Wagga has marked another milestone.

More than one million pavers covering 26,000 square metres have been laid for the terminal base beside the new master rail siding.

The focus now is on the finishing touches for the terminal base, such as lighting, electricity and services for the operational interface between the trains, the terminal and the trucks.

RiFL Hub rail siding complete | 08 Dec 2021

Construction of a new section of rail track that will connect the Main Southern Railway to the future Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub at Bomen in Wagga Wagga is now complete, bringing greater rail connectivity to the Riverina one step closer.

Boost for Special Activation Precinct | 25 May 2021

The Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct (SAP) has received a boost of a further $137 million from the NSW Government. The announcement was made on-site by the Hon. Wes Fang MLC who was joined by Member for Wagga Wagga Dr. Joe McGirr MP, and the Mayor for the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM.

The investment will kick-start infrastructure - including roads, sewer, water and electricity services - which will allow businesses to set up in the precinct sooner. This announcement is in addition to the $20.6 million announced in November last year.

The 4,500 hectare precinct capitalises on Wagga Wagga’s location as NSW’s southern gateway and central access to Australia’s richest food and agricultural region, the Riverina. It targets businesses in freight and logistics, agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, innovation, skills and education, and renewable energy and recycling, with a focus on sustainability.

The Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub (RiFL) will deliver significant benefits and strengthen the regional economy, creating opportunities for businesses looking to relocate from metropolitan areas and establish in regional NSW.

The RiFL Hub is a core feature of the existing Bomen Business Park, which is also the focus of the recently released draft Special Activation Precinct (SAP) master plan.

We'll be delivering the RiFL Hub project in three stages:

Stage 1: construction of the necessary infrastructure and road network. This stage was completed in 2017.

Stage 2: construction of rail and intermodal terminal infrastructure required to load and unload freight on the main southern rail network between Melbourne and Sydney.

Stage 3: development and construction of a sixty-hectare industrial subdivision adjoining the Stage 2 intermodal terminal.

The proposed RiFL Hub offers a significant competitive advantage over other similar proposals and facilities in the region including:

• servicing a diverse range of commodities, businesses and freight types, creating a highly sustainable facility
• large industrial lot sizes (up to 10+ hectares)
• able to service full-length (1800m+) trains on the $10.8B Inland Rail network
• strong synergies through its close location to the Bomen Business Park industrial area, allowing freight to be transported close to where it is manufactured and processed
• enabling regional businesses to trade more effectively with national and international markets through access to cost-effective transport and logistics
• improved high productivity vehicle access.

Strategically located on the Main Southern Railway between Sydney and Melbourne, the RiFL Hub is critical to the future growth of our city and the broader region, driving growth, creating jobs and increased productivity.

With freight volumes across NSW projected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, this project will be one of the most important general freight routes in Australia.

Take a look at how the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub will operate.

The Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub project has been funded by the Federal Government, NSW Government, Wagga Wagga City Council and Visy Logistics.

Stage 1 funding: $35 million Enabling Roads Project

• Federal Government – $14.5 million
• Wagga Wagga City Council – $12.5 million
• NSW Government – $8.3 million

Stage 2 funding: $14.4 million – NSW Government Fixing Country Rail program

Stage 3 funding: $29.2 million – NSW Government Growing Local Economies fund

For more information about the RiFL Hub, please contact our Director Regional Activation, Michael Keys, on 1300 292 442 or by emailing council@wagga.nsw.gov.au