Australia’s freight future will be shaped by a refreshed national strategy and action plan.
Productivity, resilience, decarbonisation and better data use are on the agenda as the Federal Government releases the updated National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy alongside a new five-year National Action Plan.
The documents set out how governments and industry will collaborate to strengthen supply chains already strained by COVID-19, extreme weather, labour shortages and global disruptions.
A review of the original 2019 strategy found its core framework remained sound, but called for fewer, nationally significant actions.
The refreshed priorities focus on boosting efficiency, improving resilience to shocks, preparing for a low-carbon future, and expanding data collection to guide investment and planning.
The Action Plan details new measures, including:
- A National Freight Resilience Plan to coordinate responses to major disruptions
- A Freight Infrastructure Investment Framework to guide funding decisions
- Research into battery safety and zero-emissions technologies for freight vehicles and locomotives
- Network modelling to map current and future capacity needs
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said freight underpinned every sector of the economy.
“Without a viable and reliable freight networks, Australia stops,” she said.
“As industry and consumer demands grows, it’s vital our roads, rails and ports can accommodate increasing freight movements with resilience, efficiency and emissions-reduction front of mind.”
The Australian Rail Association (ARA) welcomed the release, arguing that rail will be central to delivering on the strategy’s goals.
“The freight sector is at a critical juncture, with an urgent need for greater use of rail to create a more productive and sustainable national freight network that meets Australia’s future needs,” ARA Chief Executive Caroline Wilkie said.
Ms Wilkie stressed that decarbonisation must remain front and centre.
“Without action, the transport sector will be Australia’s biggest source of carbon emissions by 2030. Moving more freight on rail can deliver significant and immediate emissions benefits to support the country’s net zero ambitions.”
The ARA also endorsed the strategy’s focus on national consistency in regulation and technology.
Industry has long pushed for interoperability across rail systems, and the Infrastructure and Transport Minister’s Meeting confirmed adoption of consistent digital train control and signalling across the national network.
The new framework comes as Australia’s freight task is forecast to grow 26 per cent between 2020 and 2050.
