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.

The assignment has required that Appian Group 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 an understanding of PN's business drivers and develop strategies for their 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 has been 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 requires modeling of the 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 is 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. 

The assignment requires the preparation of a Management Plan and development applications to accommodate the relocation of PN facilities, new freight forwarding facilities and expansion of the container handling terminal. Appian Group will develop procurement strategies, generate design/construction documentation, complete contractual negotiations and manage the design and construction services for all aspects of the redevelopment.

The project requires relocation of significant infrastructure in the precinct, in particular a WestNet rail corridor which passes through the middle of the existing terminal lease.

Appian Group is required to coordinate and monitor delivery of the landlord's land development obligations and provide interim property management services for Asciano.

It is expected that phase one of the project will be completed by the end of 2010, however long term development implications of the master plan will extend well beyond 2020.