Agricultural Region Freight Strategy to boost freight efficiency

• McGowan Government election commitment to boost freight and trade efficiency
• Strategy to identify freight transport demands for western Mid-West, Wheatbelt, Great Southern and southern Goldfields-Esperance agricultural regions 
• Intermodal terminals a key alternative to the flawed Perth Freight Link plan
• New strategy to guide policy and investment decisions for the next 10 years 

Work has started on the development of an integrated, multimodal transport strategy to improve both safety and productivity for Western Australia's agricultural regions.

The strategy will be developed by a multi-agency team with representatives from the Department of Transport, Main Roads Western Australia, Public Transport Authority and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The team will engage with external stakeholders throughout various stages of the process to ensure that the entire supply chain is addressed.

The Revitalising Agricultural Region Freight Strategy is being developed to respond to a number of significant changes to the grain export industry in recent years, coupled with the need to continually improve safety and cost efficiency.

The strategy will ensure that the transport component of the supply chain reflects both current and future trends of the agricultural industry.

Specific infrastructure upgrades, technological solutions and policy measures that will enhance road safety and freight transport productivity will be identified and prioritised in the strategy.

The strategy will provide the context for business cases to be developed for road, rail, intermodal and port projects for the next 10 years, which will facilitate freight productivity improvements and assist in better positioning WA's key regional agricultural supply chains for future growth.

More information about the strategy can be found at http://www.transport.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Improving transport efficiency across the supply chains that agriculture relies on to get products to global markets can contribute to reduced costs, and enhance the national and international competitiveness of WA products.

"This strategy is just another part of our integrated plan for freight and trade, which will help drive economic growth and jobs for years to come."

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

"With increased competition from Black Sea grain, our growers need an efficient freight network to remain internationally competitive.

"An effective regional freight transport network is critical for the long-term economic development of Western Australia." 

Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500

Agriculture and Food Minister's office - 6552 6200