Projects

Project: Perth Freight Terminal Redevelopment

Client: Asciano Pty Ltd / Pacific National

Stage: Master Planning and Development Application

Appian Group was engaged by Pacific National (PN, a fully owned subsidiary of Asciano Pty Ltd) in October 2005 to fulfill the role of Project Director for the redevelopment of their Perth Freight Terminal (PFT).  PFT handles a throughput of 430,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's) per annum which is approximately 60% of the interstate containerised rail freight market. This ranks the terminal amongst the largest in Australia and is a facility of state and national transport significance.

This assignment has Appian Group required to develop business strategies and associated development concepts for the long term planning of the freight precinct.  A significant aspect of the task was to attain a detailed understanding of PN's business drivers and develop strategies for application to the planning process. Appian Group subsequently provided strong assistance in complex lease negotiations which would deliver the desired outcomes. This effort culminated in the acceptance of the proposed business strategy and the execution of a substantially larger lease with the State in November 2007. The new 50 year lease is for 67ha and provides the opportunity for PN to accommodate their long term growth expectations for the container business and the accommodation of key customers on the lease adjacent to the container handling terminal.

Appian Group's brief was extended to include refinement of the concept for the redevelopment of the new Asciano lease and deliver a master plan for the container terminal operations to accommodate throughput of 1mTEU's per annum. This task required modeling of PN’s operations to assess the impact of the forecast freight task on container handling facilities and the completion of numerous studies including traffic, civil engineering, power and planning. Appian Group was also required to consider significant changes to operations and interfaces with customers to improve the performance and capability of the terminal to meet the forecast throughput.

This required preparation of a Management Plan (akin to Structure Plan) and development applications to accommodate the relocation of significant infrastructure within the precinct, in particular a WestNet rail corridor which passes through the middle of the existing terminal lease, new freight forwarding facilities and expansion of the container handling terminal. In addition, Appian Group was required to coordinate and monitor delivery of the landlord's land development obligations and provide interim property management services for Asciano.

Appian Group subsequently developed procurement strategies, managed the procurement of design services and managed approvals, design and generation of tender documents. Appian Group’s commission was further extended in late 2010 to include managing the tender process for numerous contracts, negotiations, and management of all construction services for the redevelopment.

It is expected that phase one of the project will be completed by the end of 2012, however long term development implications of the master plan will extend well beyond 2020.