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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 13 December 2004 PLAN FOR PORTS FREIGHT TO DELIVER MORE FREIGHT BY RAIL The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources today announced the first stage of the Government’s Port Freight Plan for Sydney, saying its key objective was to look at ways to get more freight onto rail – and off Sydney’s roads.
“Currently only 21 per cent – and the rate has been decreasing - of the freight containers going in and out of Port Botany are going on rail.
“We want to increase that to 40 per cent by 2011.
“With a growing economy and increasing standards of living, the number of containers coming through Sydney’s ports will keep on increasing.
“By 2011 the number of containers* handled through the port will have grown to around 1.7 million per annum.
“By reaching our benchmark of 40 per cent by rail the number of containers travelling by road will be reduced by 300,000 per annum – potentially relieving some congestion at the port and removing a significant burden from our road network.
“It will also help ensure that Sydney’s main trade gateway remains competitive.
“This is critical as Port Melbourne is about to undergo a significant expansion. Port Botany is its main competitor and this plan gives us a fighting chance to keep pace.
“In this first stage of the NSW Government’s Port Freight Plan for Sydney we will:
Investigate a Freight Infrastructure Charge. This analysis would look at how a charge on containers being brought in and out of the port by road could be applied to encourage a shift to rail transport, and to fund freight infrastructure
Establish the Freight Infrastructure Advisory Board (FIAB) to provide expert advice to the Government on: the design of an intermodal terminal network to improve freight distribution the infrastructure required to service the intermodal network potential changes to work practices such as ‘truck tracking’ to minimise queuing at the port gate; ‘container in/container out’ to maximise the efficiency of truck haulage; and other strategies to minimise unnecessary movements of containers across the city.
“While the FIAB is investigating an intermodal network, any proposals that may be initiated will be the subject of an independent Commission of Inquiry.
“I will also seek advice from the FIAB on proposed freight related projects to ensure that they both fit into a broader freight infrastructure framework, and that they address any community issues that may arise from increasing the amount of freight travelling by rail.
“Trucks are – and will remain – a vital part of freight transport in Sydney, but with the metropolitan region growing by 1,000 people every week, we need to get the balance right.
“I’m pleased to announce today that the Hon. Laurie Brereton has agreed to chair the FIAB, providing independent leadership of a group that will be instrumental in improving our freight management system.
“Mr Brereton is a former Federal Minister for Transport and a former State Minister for Roads and Ports whose previous electorates covered the Port Botany area.
“It would be difficult to find an individual with a better overall understanding of the industry and the local issues.
“The FIAB will include representation from: the road transport industry the rail industry the shipping industry Unions relevant import and export trade associations the NSW Farmers Association and the Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources.”
Mr Knowles made the announcement at the Sydney Future’s Forum II, which is bringing together over 500 representatives from planning, local government and the community to further build the Government’s Metropolitan Strategy.
“The Ports Freight Plan is an important first step in developing a broader plan for freight management in Sydney,” said Mr Knowles.
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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