The Ballarat Freight Hub has previously been touted as one of the key elements to the BWEZ complex and has received $9.1 million from the federal government for part of the project to be completed.   

Expressions of interest for the project closed in February 2016, however both the federal government and Development Victoria have refused to say when the community can expect to see action at the site.    

Committee for Ballarat chair Janet Dore said “it would appear” as though works on the hub had stalled, which posed major issues given its importance as a selling point to prospective tenants.   

“It’s sounding very much like it has stalled which is very concerning,” Mr Dore said.  “The Freight Hub is absolutely vital for the future of BWEZ and will be pivotal for creating new jobs and encouraging entrepreneurs to invest here.”

The federal government funding began back in the 2013/14 budget and is due to run until 2018/19, however no party has been willing to put a timeline on the build.  

Of the $9.1 million pledged by Canberra $100,000 has gone to the EOI process, with Development Victoria and the City of Ballarat contributing $50,000 each.   

While Development Victoria has indicated there was a strong response from the EOI process which finished last year, it is refusing to state how many parties have taken part due to confidentiality.   

In a statement, Development Victoria chief executive Gregory Anderson said “work will commence on the freight hub once planning for the project is complete and the EOI process is finalised,” however he declined to say when this might be.  

When completed, the freight hub is expected to take up 16 hectares in order to link road and rail services, with the ability to handle high performance freight vehicles.   

In a statement federal Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Darren Chester said he “recently inspected plans for the project during a visit (to Ballarat)”.