A new 24/7 sensitive freight facility, expected to cost over $50 million, has been proposed in Orchard Hills, with its Development Application (DA) placed onto public exhibition.
The DA is for the construction of a COPE Sensitive Freight facility within the Alspec Industrial Business Park (AIBP) at 211-227 Luddenham Road in Orchard Hills and is expected to cost a whopping $52,211,656.
The warehouse is one of the first facilities planned for the AIBP and is proposing to operate as a storage facility for sensitive and bulky freight.
The proposal is seeking consent for the construction and operation of a purpose-built warehouse and distribution facility, to be primarily used for the storage of bulky products and sensitive/fragile products.
“The proposed development is designed to handle the intricate logistics of sensitive equipment, ranging from MRI machines to gaming devices,” the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the DA said.
“The facility serves as a comprehensive hub, accommodating the delivery, storage, testing and subsequent on-delivery of these and other specialised items.
“The site is designed to meet the unique requirements of its clients, ensuring the safe and secure handling of sensitive equipment from arrival to final distribution and set up.
“COPE Sensitive Freight will store materials classified as Dangerous Goods (DGs). The DGs that will be stored at the site revolve around the sensitive equipment that is stored at the site, which involve Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines.”
The proposal is also seeking approval for the installation of an in-ground weighbridge, construction of a separate car and truck entry/exit locations to the car park, a car park comprising 222 parking spaces and for the site to operate 24/7.
The SEE proposes the facility will have a positive impact on the surrounding area, including boosting job availability.
“The proposal will not result in any adverse environmental impacts. The supporting technical reports assess how the proposed development will not result in any unacceptable amenity impacts in terms of noise, air pollution, dust, or other issues to nearby land uses,” the SEE said.
“The proposal will result in positive social and economic impacts: the proposal will deliver a high-quality warehouse facility that will unlock employment opportunities and industrial services for both the locality and broader region.”
Attached to the proposal was a Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, which conceded that there will be additional road noise generated from the proposal, but it is in line with expected growth of the area.
“…Increased road traffic noise would be realised over a number of years and should be considered in the planned growth of the area (i.e. major transport infrastructure, industrial, retail, commercial and high density residential).”
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.