Leading national port-rail position confirmed in April
Western Australia has seen financial efforts to shift container freight to rail franked, with the state government reporting a 30 per cent increase after a year of subsidy.
The overall average in 2018-19 was 20.2 per cent of freight taken by rail to Fremantle Inner Harbour, up from 15.5 per cent just before the subsidy was introduced.
“We have now surpassed the freight on rail target set prior to the election and are focused on other road projects that will improve traffic flow to and from the port,” transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“The container rail subsidy is just one of several actions being taken to reduce the number of trucks on arterial port roads in the metro area.
“Infrastructure works, including the High Street Upgrade and replacing the Fremantle Traffic Bridge, are key opportunities to improve traffic flow.
“Planning to facilitate the development of more intermodal terminals in the greater metropolitan area is also underway, which will enhance the efficiency of the rail system and encourage more freight to move by rail.”
Read how the rail incentive plan was launched, here
According to the government, it is estimated the 20.2 per cent rail share equated to around 110,000 one-way truck movements over the past 12 months, “helping reduce congestion on arterial roads connected to Inner Harbour”.
“Meeting the target of 20 per cent for freight on rail at the Fremantle Inner Harbour is a great achievement; this is just one of the ways this government is helping to improve the efficiency and safety of freight movements in this state,” ports minister Alannah MacTiernan says.
“Fremantle Ports is currently undertaking a market process to determine who will manage and operate the North Quay Rail Terminal in future, which will help drive further efficiencies in rail operations at the port.
“We are also looking at other ways to increase efficiency at Fremantle Port by encouraging off-peak use of the Inner Harbour, off-port container staging and port vehicle access.
“These actions will help improve efficiency, safety and productivity of our freight movements, ensuring WA continues to be competitive both in domestic and international markets.”
The performance comes as New South Wales saw Port Botany’s rail freight percentage fall from 19.4 percent two years ago to 17.7 per cent.