NSW Freights and Ports Strategy released

The NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, has released the state's first strategy to guide the soaring freight levels predicted over the next 20 years

The NSW Government has unveiled the state’s first freight strategy, in an effort to manage the projected near doubling of freight volume over the next two decades.

Launched in December 2013 by the NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, the 240-page NSW Freight and Ports Strategy outlines a long-term road map to improve and streamline freight infrastructure and procedures as volumes increase from their current level of 409 million tonnes per annum to a predicted 80mtpa in 20 years.

Minister Gay says the strategy will improve freight transport network efficiency and guide the expansion of road, rail and port infrastructure, while balancing environmental and community needs.

“With an efficient and effective freight network underpinning the strength of our exports and reducing the costs of everyday goods and services, the strategy will ensure that freight is at the forefront of our economy,” he said.

The strategy outlines a number of ‘action programmes’, which focus on the three key areas of network efficiency, network capacity, and network sustainability.

In response to the strategy, the Australian Logistics Council has called upon the NSW Government to prioritise Sydney as a crucial hub in the state’s freight network.

The ALC’s Managing Director, Michael Kilgariff, highlighted the importance of the capital in smoothing freight transport across the entire state.

“When Sydney doesn’t work, Australia doesn’t work, so it is important that the implementation of this plan delivers on the objectives of the National Land Freight Strategy with a focus on improving freight efficiency in Sydney,” he said.

“A multi-modal supply-chain approach to dealing with Sydney’s freight challenges is required and ALC commends the Government for setting out a number of practical measures which acknowledge this fundamental point,” he added.

To download a copy of the strategy document, visit http://freight.transport.nsw.gov.au/strategy/index.html

NSW Freights and Ports Strategy released

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