Government announces new freight strategy and action plan

The Federal Government has released an updated National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy and new National Action Plan. 

A review of the existing strategy, which was first released in 2019, found its foundations “remained strong” and recommended the strategy be refreshed with a smaller number of nationally significant actions. 

The strategy outlines four priority areas: productivity, resilience, decarbonisation and data. 

Accompanying the strategy, the new National Action Plan sets out actions that government and industry will work together to deliver over the next five years. 

Key actions include: 

• Developing a National Freight Resilience Plan to ensure a “consistent and coordinated” response to significant supply chain disruptions. 

• Developing a Freight Infrastructure Investment Framework to guide infrastructure investment decisions in freight networks across Australia. 

• Conducting safety research on batteries and zero emission power technologies for freight vehicles and locomotives as well as promoting the uptake of safety and productivity boosting technology. 

• Modelling the current and future freight and supply chain network, to consider what is needed to support its efficiency and effectiveness into the future. 

Minister for Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said: “Without viable and reliable freight networks, Australia stops. 

“The journey of goods from farm-gate, factory or port to the shopping aisle or building largely goes unnoticed, except in those rare instances where something in the supply chain goes wrong. 

“As industry and consumer demands grows, it’s vital our roads, rails and ports can accommodate increasing freight movements with resilience, efficiency and emissions-reduction front of mind.” 

Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Railway Association Caroline Wilkie welcomed the strategy’s four national priority action areas, noting greater use of rail would be crucial to achieving these goals. 

“The freight sector is at a critical juncture, with an urgent need for greater use of rail to create a more productive and sustainable national freight network that meets Australia’s future needs,” she said. 

“The National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy provides a foundation for further collaboration between industry and government to drive reforms that will deliver a strong future for the freight sector.” 

Wilkie welcomed the introduction of a new goal to decarbonise the freight and supply chain. 

“Without action, the transport sector will be Australia’s biggest source of carbon emissions by 2030.  

“Moving more freight on rail can deliver significant and immediate emissions benefits to support the country’s net zero ambitions. 

“The ARA welcomes the focus on decarbonisation as part of the strategy and looks forward to continuing to engage with government on measures that support greater use of rail as part of that effort.” 

The strategy also includes a continued focus on supporting a sustainable skilled workforce, developing a fit-for-purpose regulatory environment and increasing access to data to inform policy development. 

The strategy followed confirmation by the Infrastructure and Transport Minister’s Meeting that consistent digital train control and signalling systems would be adopted across the National Network for Interoperability.

Wilkie said steps to deliver harmonised approaches across the national freight network are an essential part of increasing safety and productivity in the sector. 

“The ARA is pleased to see a continued focus on improving national consistency across the country to improve rail freight outcomes.”