Article: On road to new freight system

[ozbob]

From the North Queensland Register click here!

On road to new freight system

On road to new freight system
18 Jan, 2012 04:00 AM

QUEENSLAND'S crucial freight system took a historic step forward last week 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 2 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," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"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.

Integrated Freight Strategy for Queensland
--> http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Business-industry/Transport-sectors/Freight/Integrated-Freight-Strategy-for-Queensland.aspx

[SurfRail]

Precious little mention of the North Coast line (reflected by the release's title, no doubt!)

[Fares_Fair]

Populations statistics increasing for the Sunshine Coast, 2nd largest in SE Quarter.

Statistical division           2006                  2031*    Growth
South East Queensland
Brisbane                   1 857 800           2 908 100     56.5%
Gold Coast                  466 400              798 400     71.1%
Sunshine Coast         295 100               508 200     72.2%   No.2 (up from 3rd place)
West Moreton             86 400               179 200    107.4%  No. 1

Statistics courtesy of the 'Integrated Freight Strategy for Queensland' document produced by TMR Qld., November 2011.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

EDIT: Line removed, SC already second largest in SE Quarter from the Qld Gov't Population Projections 2011 Edition

[Stillwater]

Likely to make No.1 when Caloundra South and Palmview come on line.