Flexibility encouraged to facilitate supply chain flow
Details have emerged on the steps being taken to ease Covid-19 supply chain disruptions, with local councils asked to consider truck curfew exemptions.
ATN has seen correspondence from Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton to councils asking for their “assistance to ensure the smooth operation of retail supply chains in light of the current national challenge from the spread of COVID19”.
The order comes after Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews held a roundtable with retail, produce and logistics peak bodies on the effects of supply chain disruptions.
“I was recently alerted to concerns that local curfews might be hampering the efforts of some retailers to re-stock important commodities and provisions,” Coulton writes to councils.
“As a former mayor myself, I understand that these decisions require balancing local residents’ amenity with the need to ensure retail supply chains can continue to meet consumer demand.
“Decisions will also need to be taken in the context of local and state planning laws and regulation.
“I would like to thank those councils that have already made special efforts to act quickly in temporarily lifting curfews in some locations, in response to requests from the retail and transport industry to assist.
“Given the circumstances facing our nation now and in coming weeks and months, I would be grateful if councils could give this matter priority and show flexibility in their decision-making to help lessen potential impacts on our citizens and communities.”
ATN understands further consultations will be held next week to decide on appropriate courses of action.
One such example sees the City of Ryde in Sydney relaxing its curfews.
“A two week delivery curfew exemption has been agreed to so that Coles can get supplies back into their Macquarie Centre, Top Ryde City Shopping Centre and West Ryde stores,” Mayor Jeremy Laxale says on social media.
“I’d again ask those potentially impacted by the lifted curfew to bear with us all as we try to facilitate essentials getting back on the shelves.”
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Local government peak body Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) points ATN to a communique from president David O’Loughlin backing flexibility in decision-making from its members.
“An unexpected side effect of COVID-19 here in Australia has seen consumers panic buying items such as toilet paper and hand sanitiser, putting additional pressure on our supermarkets and freight providers to keep shelves stocked up,” O’Loughlin writes.
“This has led to a call from the major retailers for council delivery curfews to be temporarily lifted so that distributors can quickly replenish stock.
“As the level of government closest to our communities, it is our responsibility to balance the amenity of our local residents with the need to facilitate restocking and delivery to supermarkets and shops of essential household items, as well as to play our role in minimising distress due to stock shortages and to help restore confidence.
“While the temporary lifting of curfews is a matter for individual councils, it’s in everyone’s interest to ensure that our communities continue to operate without disruption.
“In special circumstances, such as those we’re facing at the moment, there needs to be a degree of flexibility to ensure communities can access what they need in a timely manner.”
Earlier, the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) urged swift action on curfews following its participation at the roundtable with Andrews.
“As ALC emphasised during a roundtable meeting with the Minster for Industry, Science and Technology, Hon. Karen Andrews, one of the biggest challenges to keeping supermarkets and other retail stores stocked is the ability to physically get goods to consumers.
“At the very least, local, state and federal governments need to work collaboratively and quickly to suspend curfews that restrict freight movement during the continuation of COVID-19 crisis, whether that is deliveries to retail premises, to homes, or the movement of freight to and from our ports, airports and other critical freight facilities.
“We would also request a halt to any enforcement activity associated with these curfews.
“Helping industry to get grocery items and other goods to consumers more quickly will send a clear signal to consumers that stock is available.
“This will help to discourage panic-buying and support the logistics sector’s broader efforts to enhance the resilience of Australia’s supply chains.”