The Australian Government has already committed substantial funding (in excess of AUD23 billion) to address deficiencies in the land transport network. It is essential that the strategic blueprint for investment priorities continues to give the highest priority to improving efficiency in our freight supply chains.

T&L must be treated as a single entity with investment decisions being based on overall system performance and productivity. Therefore, the Government needs to consider all components of our industry including air, rail, road, sea, port access and intermodal centres as well as examining urban congestion issues.

As well as investing in new infrastructure, making more efficient use of existing infrastructure should also form part of the strategic blueprint. For example, co-operation to reduce unnecessary delays and recognising the availability of existing infrastructure, such as sea-lanes, can bring enormous benefits with very little cost.

In support of Government, the Industry must work with Government to develop a long-term national Supply Chain Infrastructure Investment Strategy, through the adoption of a whole-of-system view. This investment strategy should describe how the T&L system should operate in 30 to 50 years time (e.g. levels of performance) to determine all of the activities that are required to achieve these objectives.


Increase Industry / Government Collaboration

• Industry to actively contribute to the Australian Government’s audit and subsequent development of national investment priorities for transport and logistics infrastructure

Focus planning and investment in critical supply chain areas

• Industry to work with Government to develop a framework for a long term National T&L Freight Supply Chain Plan

• Industry to work with Government to review the impact of competition policy on long-term infrastructure investment decisions and deliver a streamlined national approval process for major infrastructure projects

• Industry to work with Government in prioritising projects that eliminate problems in the interface between freight and passenger services and those that reduce urban congestion issues

I think the issue with this sort of BIG dreaming and building is that it takes time to do - and there are urgent priorities at the moment, let alone into the precarious future.

I think we certainly do need to find ways for this BIG collaborative approach to be built BUT at the same time as quickly addressing the priorities that are already urgent within our stressed T&L Industry.

My 2 cents worth, anyway.