Describing it as an historic first and a way forward, transport identity calls for industry to meaningful input and alternative solutions
November 22, 2012
New South Wales trucking stalwart Ron Finemore has urged the state’s transport operators and their customers to bring their industry knowledge and understanding to bear on the draft NSW Freight and Ports Strategy.
Speaking in his capacity as state Freight Advisory Council Chairman, Finemore emphasised the depth of transport and logistics
industry consultation that went into developing the blueprint and identifying the challenges to efficiency, “from choke points on the rail network to truck load weight restrictions on key freight routes”.
“Once finalised, the Freight and Ports Strategy will be a road map for future freight and logistics in NSW detailing specific actions and projects needed to get this state moving again – a historic first for the state,” Finemore says.
“As a life-long transport operator myself, I congratulate the Government for working closely with industry to create a practical and realistic strategy to improve freight and logistic networks in NSW.
“It’s now up to industry and their customers to review the draft strategy in detail and provide meaningful input and alternative solutions to problems.
“Through this strategy we have the opportunity to help position NSW as a future national leader in freight and logistics.”
On financing, the State Government indicates that sources can include co-investment with government, leases and concessions of parts of the transport network or the creation of infrastructure bonds.
“Governments will continue to contribute major funding, but to fix the legacy of a backlog of critical infrastructure requires an approach beyond that of relying solely on the public purse,” Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay said.
The draft document will be open for public comment until Monday 11 February 2013. The final version of the strategy will be released in the first half of 2013.
