SPC working on a road solution

Sydney Ports Corporation was working to improve road transport logistics issues around Port Botany, chief executive Greg Martin said yesterday (Thursday, November 23). The projected doubling of the transport task would translate into an increase in the number of trucks using the road system, he said. While the future number of port trucks on the road would continue to represent a low proportion when compared to total traffic (between 1-2%), SPC said it was important that growth was accommodated on existing infrastructure through better traffic and operational management. &#8220We have import receivers and depots which only work five days a week &#8211 five and a half days if you’re lucky,&#8221 Mr Martin said. &#8220You have truckies who would prefer not to work seven days a week but the reality is there’s no point in them working seven days, if there’s nowhere for them to take the box to. The reality is, something has to change. &#8220Unless the industry can start to get itself organised to do something, then you could possibly see draconian blunt instruments used &#8211 like penalising people for moving boxes in the daytime. &#8220We’re not proposing that, but we’ve seen that happen in other places like Los Angeles. Something will have to happen.&#8221 Sydney Ports wanted to work it out and would pursue Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approval to hold talks with the two stevedores, Mr Martin said. &#8220We tried to do that a couple of years ago but were told to leave it,&#8221 he said. &#8220We can’t continue to have this massive peak in congestion like we’re seeing down there on Monday mornings. The ships are still pouring in on weekends, and not a single box leaves the terminals.&#8221 Key initiatives being undertaken by SPC in 2006&#4707 include: &#8226 Planning and developing road and rail access arrangements for the Port Botany expansion &#8226 Implementing the one-way system for Simblist and Friendship Roads at the southern precinct of Port Botany &#8226 Continuing dialogue with industry and the Roads and Traffic Authority regarding the introduction of super B-double trucks within the Port Botany precinct and &#8226 Ongoing liaison with industry to ensure the effective management of the pre-Christmas peak with minimal adverse impacts on port users and the community.

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