An increase to the intermodal and track-side warehouse capacity at Yennora

The strategic partnership between Stockland and DP World (one of the world’s largest stevedores and logistics operators) facilitates an increase to the intermodal and track-side warehouse capacity at Yennora. This will leverage DP World’s investment in its increased port-side handling capability at Port Botany.

In 2023 Stockland announced a strategic partnership with DP World, one of the world’s largest stevedores and logistics operators. DP World are expanding its end-to-end supply chain services. This include two direct rail services to and from Port Botany on a dedicated rail line. Investment at the port and in technology is aimed at increasing throughput capacity at Yennora. DP World’s warehousing capacity will also increase at the site. Offering users a range of logistics services via rail and road.

What we did

Atlas Economics and Infosys Portland were engaged in 2024 to assist Stockland and DP World understand the strategic and market opportunity for Yennora.  

Sydney imports substantially more containers than it exports. For every 10 full containers imported, only 4 full containers are exported. With 6 containers exported completely empty.

Trains to and from Port Botany are part of a metropolitan and regional intermodal terminal network. A shift from road to rail makes economic sense. As it is cheaper and more environmentally sustainable.  

Yet, the vast majority of land freight movements to and from Port Botany are made by road. In 2024, the share of rail movements in Greater Sydney was 15%, falling from a peak of 19% in 2017.

The NSW Government has aspirations to shift container freight to rail. This will free up congestion on the road network and reduce emissions. The reliability and resilience of the rail network is critical to support the movement of freight on rail and a greater modal shift.

Import containers from Port Botany are overwhelmingly bound for Western Sydney. In 2021, this was estimated to be almost 90%. This is not surprising given the large tracts of industrial land with logistics warehousing located across Western Sydney.  

Greater Sydney’s population growth continues to be a westward focus. So it will be a growing imperative to ensure road and rail movements are efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. The opportunity for a modal shift is therefore significant.

The outcome

In March 2025, planning approval was secured for Stockland to build a new logistics facility spanning 38,000 square metres at the Yennora Intermodal Precinct. It will replace a low clearance warehouse constructed in the 1970s for wool storage.

This significant milestone is the first step in Stockland’s plans to modernise the Yennora precinct through the integration of port-rail connectivity with on-site warehousing and logistics.