New report shapes way forward for freight policy reform

The Reform Panel has taken a broad look at the industry, with analysis showing freight volumes are estimated to increase by 26 per cent across NSW between 2021 and 2041, with a 40 per cent increase in Greater Sydney alone.

The release of the paper marks some immediate actions for government and industry to undertake and the opening of the second round of consultation ahead of the Policy's finalisation by the end of the year.

The Interim Directions Paper looks at the end-to-end freight logistics chain, focusing on both industry and network policy.

Key industry issues considered by the paper include supporting decarbonisation, better planning and protection of industrial land, using data and information to inform decision making and addressing skills shortages.

The paper also makes recommendations on network issues such as pricing, infrastructure resilience and the future of ports, rail and road within the freight system. Specific actions include:

• Addressing data gaps in freight movements to support future infrastructure investments.
• Better planning for freight corridors and industrial spaces, including prioritising the final business case and planning for the Western Sydney Freight Line.
• Enabling 600 metre rail shuttles between Port Botany and Sydney's intermodals for more efficient freight movements.
• The finalisation and implementation of the NSW Heavy Vehicle Access Policy to optimise use of the road network for modern heavy vehicles.
• The improvement of access and coordination between rail networks, including an immediate review of the NSW Rail Access Undertaking.

The Interim Directions Paper also includes the Panel's endorsement of a package of 20 of 21 recommendations in the Willett Review of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy and Ports and Maritime Administration Act.

The recommendations to be considered by government are designed to improve turnaround times and congestion while processing container freight at Port Botany, designed to put a greater emphasis on incentives that reward port efficiency rather than focusing on poor performance.

Port Botany is the second largest processor of container freight in Australia with around 2.8 million containers being processed per year and 90 per cent of imports travel within a 60 kilometre radius of the port. The reforms are designed to make that process smoother and easier for shipping lines, stevedores and landside road and rail operators. Government will now consider the Port Botany recommendations ahead of the final Freight Reform Policy.

The Panel recognises a new approach is needed to continue to deliver safer and more connected transport while lowering emissions towards zero for both road and rail.

Consultation is continuing, with an information session to be held on Monday 23 September, with online submissions accepted until Wednesday 23 October 2024.

Visit Transport's webpage to read the Interim Directions Paper and register for the information session by Friday 20 September 2024.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

"Thanks to the excellent work of the Freight Policy Reform Advisory Panel, we're taking another step forward to help direct and finalise our plan for supporting efficient freight transport into the future.

"What the panel has recognised is the continued need to look at end-to-end freight transport as a whole system and not as individual modes, including making sure that freight considerations are central to transport planning, prioritisation and investment decisions.

"The panel's recommendations will shape a reform agenda to address feedback from industry on skills shortages, rail access and integration across the freight system."

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