FEDERAL infrastructure and transport minister Catherine King has spoken of the key role of intermodals in facilitating the movement of freight in a rapidly changing Australia.
Ms King spoke at the Australian Logistics Council Supply Chain Summit held at Daltone House in Sydney and noted that the states and Commonwealth were committed to investing in intermodals and common user infrastructure.
“In Victoria, we have committed over $1.62bn for the development of Beveridge Intermodal freight terminal and that has just received planning approval and we will start on that imminently to create a freight and logistics hub in Melbourne,” she said, noting the location near the Sydney rail corridor and the Hume Highway.
“When complete, that terminal will handle up to 1800metre interstate double-stacked freight trains [connecting with] Inland Rail and deliver improved freight services across Melbourne and the rest of the nation.”
Ms King said Moorebank intermodal precinct in Sydney was already playing a transformative role with container freight moves to Port Botany.
“That has been a ‘game changer’ for western Sydney in particular,” she said, noting its role in getting trucks off of the Sydney road network.
Ms King also noted changing attitudes towards freight in the Australian community, with more awareness of the supply chain due to events such as the COVID-19 pandemic or major weather events.
“People have started to think about it,” she said, noting the need for a supply chain that is resilient and stable.
The ALC Supply Chain Summit also heard from ALC chief executive Hermione Parsons and chair Margaret Staib.
Dr Parsons spoke about the need for industry collaboration especially in such areas as fuel security and in pushing for better understanding of the needs of logistics in urban planning.
Ms Staib talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic had raised awareness of the aviation supply chain, with exporters having initially struggled to get their produce to market due to the cancellation of international flights.