The Victorian government has just launched its strategy to deal with the expected growth in freight volumes in the state and nationally
August 13, 2013
The Victorian government has just launched its Victorian Freight and Logistics Plan.
The plan, which sets out a strategy for Victoria to deal with the expected growth in freight volumes across Victoria and nationally, has been welcomed by peak logistics body the Australian Logistics Council (ALC).
The Victorian Freight and Logistics Plan
estimates Victoria’s freight and logistics sector contributed between $19 and $23 billion or about eight per cent of the state’s total economic activity in 2011
It includes a renewed focus on investment in freight logistics infrastructure to improve freight productivity and supply chain efficiency.
The plan
also recognises the logistics industry is increasingly dealing with goods that have been imported, rather than manufactured locally, which is consistent with trends elsewhere in Australia.
ALC Managing Director Michael Kilgariff says the strategy reinforces the need for planning and corridor protection and brings supply chain efficiency into the arena as a critical
component of national economic debate.
“At the national level National Land Freight and Port strategies have been released, the Queensland Government has just closed comment on its Moving Freight strategy and the SA, TAS, WA and NT governments are at various stages in developing their own freight strategies,” Kilgariff says.
“The draft NSW Freight and Port Strategy was released nearly nine months ago and industry is eagerly anticipating the release of the final strategy.”
Victoria’s Freight and Logistics Plan commits the government to a transport network and rail link to connect the Port of Hastings to the regional and national freight network.
“While recognising that Hastings does have some issues from a land-side logistics perspective, the government has spelt out how it intends to deal with those under the Victorian Freight and Logistics Plan,” Kilgariff says.
“It is therefore imperative that this strategy gives confidence to industry that, while remaining flexible, it underpins decisions across the life of many governments.
“This includes the development of the East-West Link, a focus on short-haul rail, as well as a rail freight network development strategy,” he says.
“In line with the ALC Election Priorities document released in July – it is ‘Time to Deliver’ to ensure Victoria retains the title of ‘Australia’s freight and logistics capital.”