Key Positions & Recommendations Below is a summary of the main issues raised and the recommendations put forward on behalf of members. Protect Melbourne Airport's 24-Hour Freight Advantage
Preserve Melbourne Airport's curfew-free operations and ensure future land-use, infrastructure and transport decisions protect the airport's ability to support time-critical imports, exports and dedicated freighter operations around the clock.
Plan for Long-Term Cargo Capacity
Establish a clear long-term roadmap for freight infrastructure, including warehousing, cold-chain storage, automation, digital integration, aircraft and apron interfaces, and scalable inspection and treatment facilities.
Safeguard Freight Land and Heavy-Vehicle Access
Protect land required for freight, logistics and cold-chain activities, including the Melbourne Airport Business Park, while maintaining reliable B-Double and other heavy-vehicle connections between freight terminals and Victoria's wider arterial and freight network.
Ensure Melbourne Airport Rail Delivers Benefits for Freight
Use the shift of passengers and airport employees from road to rail to improve road capacity and reliability for time-critical freight. Rail construction and subsequent changes to the airport road network must also protect 24-hour heavy-vehicle access to freight terminals and the Business Park.
Strengthen Border, Biosecurity and Operational Resilience
Provide sufficient capacity for bonded facilities, inspection bays, quarantine-approved premises and treatment facilities, while building redundancy and surge capacity to manage biosecurity events, technology outages, airline disruptions and other supply-chain shocks.
Improve Digital Integration and Freight Performance
Support e-freight, electronic documentation and improved cargo visibility, backed by measurable freight KPIs covering areas such as truck turnaround, congestion, cargo clearance, cold-chain integrity and terminal performance.
Support Workforce Development and Decarbonisation
Develop a coordinated freight workforce strategy with industry, TAFE and universities, alongside practical freight-specific sustainability measures including low-emission ground equipment, renewable-powered cold-chain facilities and infrastructure supporting lower-emission freight vehicles.
Maintain Ongoing Freight Industry Engagement
Establish a formal freight and logistics stakeholder forum, or similar ongoing mechanism, so industry can remain involved as cargo, transport, border, digital and precinct initiatives move from the Master Plan into detailed design and implementation.
Next Steps FTA/APSA will continue to engage with Melbourne Airport and government stakeholders as the Master Plan progresses, advocating for planning outcomes that prioritise freight, safeguard capacity, and support the long-term efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness of Victoria's air cargo supply chains.
Tom Jensen - General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA | APSA Copyright © 2026 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.
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