Disappointing news for Liverpool yesterday as the Federal Government announced an agreement with the Sydney Intermodal Terminal Alliance (SIMTA) for the development of the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal.

The agreement will see SIMTA develop and operate an intermodal freight terminal and warehousing across both Commonwealth and SIMTA-owned land at Moorebank, with direct rail access to Port Botany via the Southern Sydney Freight Line.

Combining the site into a single development optimises the outcomes and minimises taxpayer exposure.

The government also invested $370 million in the $1.9 billion project, which is expected to start operating in 2017.

With the approved Intermodal over 1,300 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, with up to 7,700 jobs created mainly in South-West Sydney once the intermodal terminal precinct is fully developed.

Hughes MP Craig Kelly and Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons have both expressed their disappointment.

Liverpool Champion reported that Mr Kelly had fought against the proposed Intermodal for the past five years.

He said the had made his opposition clear over the years and would continue to argue against the case.

‘‘The project does not stack up for our community and I remain highly sceptical that it will be viable and believe that there are better uses for this land,’’ Mr Kelly said.

Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons is urging local residents not give up fighting against the development of a freight hub in Moorebank.

Ms Gibbons is encouraging residents to make submissions against the development before the public exhibition period ends, on June 26.

‘‘This is just too important and it affects too many people for us to just give up,’’ Ms Gibbons said.

Local residents has been putting a fight to stop the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal. They are concerned about how the Intermodal will affect the area now and the future:

• The noise and congestion from 10,000 additional truck movements each day rolling in 24-hours a day, 7-days a week from 2017
• The declining air quality from these extra trucks and the detrimental impacts their pollutants will have on the Georges River
• The impact of freight trains on the future of the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
• The impact on Liverpool’s progressive plans for housing at Moorebank
• The grounding halt this will bring to the tens of thousands of commuters who use the M5 and surrounding roads on a daily basis

There is still three weeks for residents to object on the private operators’ plans for the joint-venture project, which will then go to the State Government for review. A decision to proceed with the project will be made based on the submissions that YOU make, so please, your involvement might save the future of this city.

To read the full announcement click here.

Submissions on the SIMTA proposal must be lodged by June 26.

To view the MIC response to submissions.

Interview with reporter Laura Tunstall (yesterday):