The Victorian Government is working with the freight and logistics industry to chart a path forward for the next phase of the Victorian Freight Plan and for the state’s $36 billion freight sector.
Consultation has commenced on the revised plan which will be developed in partnership with industry and examine pathways to decarbonise the freight and logistics sector as the government works towards Victoria’s ambitious 2045 net zero emissions targets
Industry is already coming to the table with operators like Patrick Terminals at the Port of Melbourne investing in ten new hybrid straddles, reducing fuel consumption by up to 40 per cent and supporting the State Government’s decarbonisation strategy.
Since the Victorian Freight Plan was launched in 2018, the sector has been impacted by the pandemic, global conflicts and disruptions, which have put the importance of securing supply chains firmly in the spotlight.
Despite these challenges, the State Government’s more than $360 million investment in rail freight maintenance since 2020 has given industry the confidence to put more of their goods on trains – helping to take trucks off the roads.
This investment has led to heavier and longer trains being used on the network and has led to a 95 per cent increase in grain volumes moved by rail in Victoria between July and December 2023 when compared the same period in 2022.
The freight and logistics industry is a major economic enabler, particularly for the state’s agricultural sector, and employs more than 260,000 Victorians.
Consultation is now open for the updated Victorian Freight Plan and closes on 30 June 2024.
Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne, said that Victoria is home to the busiest port in the nation, handling more than a third of the country’s container trade and contributing $6 billion to the state’s economy.
“From our primary producers through to our stevedores, our freight and logistics workforce helps keep our economy moving and we are working with industry to ensure Victoria remains the freight capital of Australia.”
Where is the current plan at with rail freight? You guessed it nowhere.
“Despite these challenges, the State Government’s more than $360 million investment in rail freight maintenance since 2020 has given industry the confidence to put more of their goods on trains – helping to take trucks off the roads.
This investment has led to heavier and longer trains being used on the network and has led to a 95 per cent increase in grain volumes moved by rail in Victoria between July and December 2023 when compared the same period in 2022.”
Good that the grain industry use of rail has doubled but what about containers? This has not moved and new intermodal terminals have not been delivered such as the Ballarat West Terminal and Ouyen.