Logistics News

Congestion efforts must address freight says ALC

Davies stresses productivity and efficiency of freight movement must underpin government planning

 

Policy makers must recognise the impact that congestion has on the efficiency and safe movement of freight through supply chains.

That’s the message from the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) to federal cities, urban infrastructure and population minister Alan Tudge, following his first speech since being assigned a portfolio that merges population policy with urban infrastructure and cities under the Morrison government.

Tudge’s speech outlined a population plan with four key pillars: increased infrastructure spending, a focus on local congestion ‘pinch points’, better planning frameworks, and a push to locate new migrants in regional towns.

The ALC responded with enthusiasm but emphasised the need for “Commonwealth leadership in driving better planning outcomes and reducing road congestion as Australia’s population grows”.

“The minister’s address . . . is consistent with ALC’s long-stated view that the Commonwealth Government needs to be more active in long-term planning for infrastructure as our population grows,” ALC chair Philip Davies says.

“It is evident that road congestion is having an increasingly detrimental impact on the quality of life in Australia’s cities.”


Read the ALC’s 12 key priorities for the transport and logistics industry, here


Davies cites rising costs associated with congestion and the increasing cost to Australian consumers.

“Infrastructure Australia has previously projected that the cost of congestion in Australia could rise to $53 billion a year by 2031 unless we take action,” he says.

“This means we need to think more strategically than we may have in the past about population and settlement policy.

“The minister’s remarks are an encouraging start, and ALC looks forward to seeing further details of the Government’s population policy in the coming weeks.”

He outlined the key areas governments must factor in when planning policy around future cities and infrastructure.

“It will be critical to ensure the nation’s freight logistics infrastructure is developed in a way that allows Australia to meet its growing freight task, through the development of a comprehensive National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.”

“ALC again encourages the Commonwealth Government to use this strategy to foster greater national consistency in planning outcomes, particularly around corridor protection and land-use planning.”

“Only by improving Australia’s approach on these key issues can we be confident of creating truly liveable cities into the future, while also ensuring freight logistics operators have the 24/7 operational flexibility they need to meet consumer expectations, and support continued export growth.”

 

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