<p>The parliamentary inquiry into regional rail and road connections with Australian ports is due to hold its last two public hearings in Canberra tomorrow (Wednesday, August 11), and next Wednesday, August 17. </p> <p>The inquiry is being run by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport and Regional Services, and next week’s hearing will include the Australasian Rail Association.</p> <p>Committee chair Paul Neville said there had been strong interest in the issues and over 100 submissions, with the report expected to be finished by the first half of next year. </p> <p>Among the submissions, the Australian Shipowners Association questioned why sea transport had moved since the mid-1980s from first to third place, and road from third to second after rail, suggesting "regulatory confusion" was part of the answer. </p> <p>Shipping Australia pointed to the lack of waterfront land and the long term cost impact which results, as well as the declining provision of breakbulk facilities in Australian ports. </p> <p>The SAL members also said that lack of certainty in government planning processes hampered private sector investment. </p> <br />
