Pacific National boss Dean Dalla Valle says plans for a special investment zone at the Parkes National Logistics Hub will encourage the private sector to invest in freight networks and services.
Dalla Valle said Monday’s announcement, which is part of the NSW Government’s new 20-year economic vision for Regional NSW, represented a “tripling down on good ideas,” along with the Parkes Shire Council’s National Logistics Hub program, and the Federal Government’s $10 billion Inland Rail project.
“A key part of the government’s vision is to streamline planning processes to help turbo-charge delivery of critical freight-related infrastructure in regional NSW,” Dalla Valle said.
“Efficient supply chains in regional NSW will only be delivered if all levels of government work closely with private companies with expertise in providing freight services.”
Pacific National, Australia’s largest intermodal rail operator, employs 1,200 people in regional New South Wales, and operates hundreds of freight train services every week hauling goods and commodities to and from ports, depots and silos.
Pacific National has already invested $35 million to develop an intermodal hub at Parkes, with construction to begin in September and 1,800 metre trains to begin service between Parkes and Perth in early 2019.
“Our terminal is strategically positioned within the Parkes National Logistics Hub to access the future Inland Rail corridor, the Trans-Australian Railway line to Perth, and the Newell Highway,” Dalla Valle said.
“Parkes sits at the epicentre of the nation’s freight network. Today’s announcement by the NSW Government provides Pacific National with added confidence to continue investing to a level which could enable 450,000 cargo containers to be processed each year through our logistics terminal at Parkes.”
Dalla Valle said the 20-year economic vision would help position regional NSW as the ‘delicatessen of Asia’; supplying high quality produce and fibre to lucrative markets.
“To compete in global markets, NSW farmers, exporters and manufacturers need access to efficient freight networks,” he explained. “Hauling produce from ‘paddock or plant to port’ can no longer be an exercise in battling bottlenecks on outdated infrastructure.”
The Pacific National chief executive concluded by saying rail freight remains on “the right side of every debate”.
“Moving bulk freight by rail is safer, more efficient and better for the environment,” he said. “It also helps to provide secure, long term jobs; particularly in regional communities like Parkes.”