Australia’s Priority Grain Freight Routes: Critical Infrastructure, Bottlenecks, and Strategic Investment Requirements
GrainGrowers has released Australia’s Priority Grain Freight Routes: Critical Infrastructure, Bottlenecks, and Strategic Investment Requirements.
The report highlights the freight routes most important to moving millions of tonnes of grain each year and identifies where targeted upgrades are needed to reduce costs, improve safety, and keep Australian growers globally competitive.
It provides a detailed breakdown of grain freight movements by state, demonstrating the complexity of Australia’s grain supply chain and the distinct patterns between regions. Until now, much of this information has been limited in its public availability. This report brings it together in one place, offering new insights into where investment will deliver the greatest benefits.
Key Insights from the Report
Australia’s first publicly available mapping of grain freight routes reveals critical infrastructure priorities.
The report provides the first publicly accessible, national mapping of Australia’s grain freight network, using CSIRO’s Transport Network Strategic Investment Tool (TraNSIT). It identifies the highest-volume grain corridors, bottlenecks, and freight patterns across all major grain-growing states—providing an unprecedented evidence base for industry and government planning.
Ageing infrastructure, inconsistent access, and climate risks are undermining efficiency and competitiveness.
The report highlights that much of Australia’s grain freight network—particularly regional roads and bridges—is outdated, fragmented, and vulnerable to flooding and extreme weather. These constraints increase costs for growers, reduce supply-chain reliability, and threaten the industry’s global competitiveness.
Strategic, coordinated investment is essential to future-proof the grain freight network.
Targeted upgrades to key freight corridors, PBS network extensions, and improved cross-border harmonisation will unlock productivity and resilience. National coordination between federal, state, and local governments is vital to build a modern, efficient, and climate-ready transport network that supports Australia’s grain industry for decades to come.
Next steps
By prioritising freight routes that deliver the greatest economic and logistical benefits, Australia can future-proof its grain industry and ensure growers have the transport network they need to remain globally competitive. This report serves as a vital tool in shaping policy decisions and guiding investment in the nation’s grain freight infrastructure.