What we want
To help position Australia for this challenge, all tiers of government and industry will work together to deliver:
...nationally coordinated and well-planned freight systems supporting a strong and prosperous Australia.
Improved efficiency and International competitiveness
Safe, secure and sustainable operations
A fit for purpose regulatory environment
Innovative solutions to meet freight demand
A skilled and adaptable workforce
An informed understanding and acceptance of freight operations
How we know we have been successful
Improved efficiency and international competitiveness
Freight precincts, maritime and air connections are planned, accessible, efficient and reliable. Freight network plans are published and provide certainty to industry for future investment. Market principles apply to infrastructure investment and pricing, while economic costs (e.g. cross-border/ modal/operator transaction and coordination costs) and externalities are minimised.
Why?
A coordinated approach, which extends beyond investment to include regulatory, planning and supply chain reforms, is needed to drive the long term improvements necessary to lift Australia’s supply chain efficiency and international competitiveness.
Safe, secure and sustainable operations
Australia’s freight networks and supply chains are safe and secure for all transport users. Freight infrastructure and operations minimise impacts on the environment, are resilient and sustainable and take into account the Sustainable Development Goals.
Why?
For Australia’s freight system to be effective it needs to be safe, secure and sustainable. High levels of safety and security from all freight modes limit disruption and build public trust facilitating the introduction of new technology. Efforts to promote sustainability harmonise three core elements – economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection – and through that build industry resilience to change and disruption.
A fit for purpose regulatory environment
Governments regulate Australia’s freight networks in a way that appropriately balances the benefits (such as national security, world-class biosecurity, community safety and consistent standards) against the regulatory burden and costs.
Why?
Improving freight access, coordination and regulation, particularly across jurisdictional boundaries and access regimes, will boost performance, enhance first and last mile access, reduce compliance costs and improve certainty.
A lack of consistency in the consideration of freight in decision-making has compromised the ability of governments and industry to balance the economic benefits of moving freight efficiently with social and environmental outcomes.
A lack of certainty inhibits the making of long-term investment decisions.
A lack of consistency across jurisdictions creates confusion and duplication, resulting in costs for operators - for example, regulations managing fatigue, drug and alcohol use in the road and rail sectors.
Innovative solutions to meet freight demand
Producers and consumers benefit from supply chains with advanced technology and information enabling them to thrive in competitive, global markets. New infrastructure is future proofed and flexible approaches to operation of existing infrastructure are adopted to extract as much value as possible.
Why?
Technologies including connected and automated vehicles, drones, telematics, common bar code standards, and distributed ledgers can increase network efficiency, decrease risks to transport users, reduce fuel usage and emissions and enhance supply chain visibility. New technology and innovation, including adaptive and outcomes-focused regulations and targeted infrastructure investment (such as retrofitting), is needed to find greater efficiencies and drive down costs.
A skilled and adaptable workforce
There is a collaborative approach between government and industry to identifying workforce shortages, ensuring training programs address future skills needs, and enhancing workforce diversity to address short-term and long-term requirements of the freight sector.
Why?
The Australian freight sector is having difficulties in attracting skilled workers across its various functions - including logistics, quality control, warehousing and trade negotiations. At the same time, automation and other technological changes are shifting workforce needs. From a government perspective, we need a public sector workforce sufficiently trained to appropriately plan and regulate freight activities and make informed decisions.
An informed understanding and acceptance of freight operations
The freight industry works with governments and the community to deliver positive social outcomes. Communities are more ‘freight aware’ and the importance of freight is reflected in integrated land use and transport planning. Future freight corridors are identified and protected. Planning for freight also considers ways to enable regional and remote opportunities, including integrating the wider social benefits from improved access.
Why?
Residential developments encroaching on freight facilities reduce both the amenity for residents and the efficient operations of those freight facilities. Investment matched to appropriate land use planning to identify and/or protect future freight corridors is vital.
This requires coordinated action by all levels of government and advocacy and engagement by industry.