Ministerial Statement: Queensland's first freight strategy released

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
09/12/2011

Queensland's first freight strategy released

Queensland's crucial freight system has taken a historic step forward today with the release of the first Integrated Freight Strategy, mapping the future of the industry which is critical to the state economy.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the strategy represented a comprehensive path forward for the state's freight system.

"If we don't enhance the movement of freight in Queensland, we don't keep the economy running at full steam so the release of this first strategy today is a major step forward in supporting economic growth," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The Integrated Freight Strategy provides clear direction for improving Queensland's freight system, as well as analysing how we can maximise the output from the existing transport system.

"Queensland's population is growing rapidly, with 100,000 new residents calling Queensland home every year and the current population forecast to grow by over two million people by 2031.

"In 2009 the estimated freight volume in Queensland was 865 million tonnes a year- by 2031 the expected growth in freight tonnage is estimated to be between 1.8 billion to 2.2 billion tonnes a year

"This extraordinary growth will lead to increasing demand for freight, placing pressure on the transport system and potentially impacting on the competitiveness of Queensland industry - it's critical that we manage this growth in freight effectively.

"This strategy is about getting on the front foot with this growing freight movement and putting actions in place to deal with it."

Main Roads and Marine Infrastructure Minister Craig Wallace said the strategy was developed by Transport and Main Roads after extensive consultation including input from the industry.

"The strategy will inform government policy, regulation and investment and influence industry operations and decisions," Mr Wallace said.

"The strategy also reflects the importance of the relationship and linkages at the national, regional and local level of our total transport system and will inform Queensland's input to the Commonwealth's draft National Land Freight Strategy discussion paper, as well as freight-related interaction with local Government.

"The strategy provides a high-level framework to inform the development of more efficient freight solutions for the future. Ultimately, those solutions must be safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable.

"It encourages a more integrated approach to delivering freight solutions in Queensland and outlines clear areas of focus and specific actions.

"Importantly, the strategy will ensure that Queensland is well positioned to meet freight challenges and opportunities now and into the future.

"This strategy will also inform future whole-of-government freight planning, collaboration with industry and other levels of government and will contribute to improved freight outcomes and prosperity for Queensland."

Mark Johnston, Director and Deputy Chair Queensland Trucking and Logistics Council said "This is a very important document, it's a long time coming and there's been a lot of effort put into it."

"It sets the foundation for industry and government to develop and implement strategies for the future.

"It's a strategy for all of Queensland and it assists in tying all the various interests together.

Peter Garske, CEO of Queensland Trucking Association said "The freight task is a critically important part of the state and the nation's economy."

"Therefore, it is important that the Queensland Government support the transport and logistics council in the design, drafting and more importantly in the implementation of a freight strategy.

"We're well aware of the drivers of our economy - the resource industry is a critical component of that.

"Their freight demand, whether that be importation through ships, whether it be distribution by road or rail, are functions that need a high level of efficiency and productivity.

"The launch of the freight strategy will help deliver all of those things."

The Integrated Freight Strategy for Queensland is available on the Transport and Main Roads website at www.tmr.qld.gov.au.

[ozbob]

Here --> Integrated Freight Strategy for Queensland

[#Metro]

No word about the SC line

[SurfRail]

No word about the SC line

Says it all.

[Stillwater]

The official map of Queensland that hangs in every government office shows a cross-hatched area north of Caboolture, south of Gympie and east of Goomeri and Kilcoy to the sea.  Across this part of the map are superimposed these words: 'Unexplored Territory'.  The government needs to provision a modern-day John Oxley and Andrew Petrie to explore the land of the Gubbi Gubbi.  They will discover more than just the european descendants of escaped convicts from the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement.

[Golliwog]

No word about the SC line

It's a Freight Strategy document. Strategy documents never go into specifics, rather give target areas to work on. Section 11: Delivering Freight Outcomes says the following under the the topic of "Focus area – promote the mode, or combination of modes, that delivers the most efficient and sustainable solutions for the freight task ."

Key actions
• Identify freight tasks suitable for coastal shipping to facilitate its increased utilisation for future freight movement.
• Facilitate the expanded development and use of rail to support the freight task.
• Develop transport solutions for significant existing and emerging freight tasks (including new mining/industry development, seasonal freight movement).
• Facilitate an expanded role for water barges, pipelines or conveyors to support relevant freight tasks.

For a strategy document, thats the closest you're going to get. But it basically states what needs to be said: "Use the right mode for the right purpose"

[Jonno]

If I wrote a Strategic Plan for a business that was as vague and unspecific as this plan I would be fired and the company stock dumped by the market.

[Stillwater]

It reads like a plan to have a plan ... eventually.

[colinw]

[Fares_Fair]

The Federal Government's National Land Freight Strategy paper was announced in The Australian on 22 February this year.
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5468.0

Submissions to IA were made in June, here http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/public_submissions/nlfs/index.aspx

This response was 10 months in the making.
Better late than never.
I note the abundance of glossy pictures over substance, it commits to nothing.


One section is entitled "Queensland is positioned for future freight needs"
I say bunkum.
Clearly we are not and I can prove it, unless of course their solution is for it to go onto the Bruce Highway by way of B double and B triple trucks.
Tearing up the bitumen faster than it can be replaced.

They stubbornly refuse to consider the inherent advantages of the North Coast Line duplication, with regards to freight.
It truly is a national shame.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Jonno]

If I wrote a Strategic Plan for a business that was as vague and unspecific as this plan I would be fired and the company stock dumped by the market.

[ozbob]

This is a freight strategic action plan ...  wake up Queensland ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZN5tYIBvlA&sns=fb

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th December 2011

Queensland's first freight strategy

Greetings,

The Queensland Government yesterday released publicly Queensland's first freight strategy ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Business-industry/Transport-sectors/Freight/Integrated-Freight-Strategy-for-Queensland.aspx )

We welcome this strategy, as a beginning, even if it is light on rail.  This is what we should be working towards --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7241.msg78753#msg78753

The Sunshine Coast Line single section particularly between Beerburrum and Nambour is a major restriction for increasing freight (and passenger) trains.  This must be a priority for an upgrade and amplification if Queensland is to really move forwards with a truly sustainable freight strategy.

The true value of rail is detailed here --> http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/TVOR_Report.pdf

Not addressing the Sunshine Coast Line upgrade is a major failing.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
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