The Victorian Government will seek to shift 33,500 containers from road to rail in regional areas under its new Mode Shift Incentive Scheme (MSIS).
The initiative, aimed at to encouraging the use of rail freight and relieving road congestion, will cost $10 million over the next two years.
By Rob McKay | May 2, 2012
The Victorian Government will seek to shift 33,500 containers from road to rail in regional areas under its new Mode Shift Incentive Scheme (MSIS).
The initiative, aimed at to encouraging the use of rail freight and relieving road congestion, will cost $10 million over the next two years.
“The MSIS aims to retain and grow the amount of containerised intrastate – including Tocumwal – freight on rail in Victoria,” Transport Minister Terry Mulder tells ATN.
“The Department of Transport will release more details in due course but the new MSIS will be based on a competitive applications process from both new and existing country rail freight operators.
“Under the previous scheme, the number of containers moved by rail has increased, although this has partially been due to improved climatic conditions benefiting Victorian agriculture.
“The Coalition Government is keenly aware of widespread community support for moving TEUs by rail where possible.
“Existing trains from Horsham, Merbein, Tocumwal and Warrnambool are doing a god job.
“The Warrnambool train is severely limited in length due to the lack of a crossing loop on the Warrnambool on the line between Marshall and Warrnambool, with the exception of a short 350 metre loop at Camperdown.
“Last year, the Coalition Government provided $10 million in funding for the construction of a second crossing loop on the Warrnambool line.
“Planning is continuing for this initiative.
“While the road freight industry has increased its volumes dramatically during the past 200 years and has very good overall safety record, one collision of a heavy vehicle with a car, motorbike or pedestrian can have catastrophic results.”
Ports Minister Denis Napthine was also keen to underline the advantages of the initiative in promoting freight transport efficiency and freeing up road capacity.
“Containerised freight is rapidly growing in volume and, as we near capacity at the Port of Melbourne, it is important that we’re able to move freight through the port more efficiently,” Napthine says.