The release of the new National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, with a focus on improving the productivity, efficiency, and resilience of Australia's freight networks, is a welcome step forward for the Australian grain industry.
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said efficient and reliable supply chains are critical to the success of the Australian grain industry, which depends on the ability to move large volumes of grain to both domestic and export markets.
"Over the past few years, bushfires, floods and extreme weather events have exposed significant weaknesses in Australia's freight systems, with ageing infrastructure and fragmented regulation. To address these identified issues, the new strategy must be equipped to address every challenge at scale."
The National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy outlines four priority areas: productivity, resilience, decarbonisation and data, setting a collaborative approach for government and industry.
Ms Gawel said in mid-2024 GrainGrowers unveiled a National Grain Freight Strategy as a practical road map for the government to help drive Australia's global competitiveness.
"It is pleasing to see the inclusion of resilience and decarbonisation within the updated Strategy, two priorities at the heart of the National Grain Freight Strategy."
Ms Gawel said stronger coordination in land-use planning across all levels of government was essential to protect freight corridors and support future capacity needs.
"The Strategy is a step forward, but it is now critical that it delivers tangible outcomes and does not become a document that 'sits on the shelf'."
"Real investment and coordinated action are needed to improve Australia's freight performance and secure the competitiveness of the grain industry. We look forward to working cooperatively across government and industry to achieve meaningful long-term outcomes for the Australian grains industry," Ms Gawel said.
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