THE NSW government has announced the release of a consultation paper inviting industry to give feedback on the state’s Freight Policy Reform program.
The reform aims to identify short, medium and long-term actions that would enable government to support an evolving freight sector and supply chain, develop local manufacturing capabilities and improve road safety.
The program follows changes in the freight landscape since the development of the government’s sector plan more than two years ago.
Among those changes are the leasing of Port Botany, Port Kembla and Port of Newcastle; privatisation of rail services; changes to vehicle technology and new emission reduction targets.
“The release of the Freight Policy Reform Program Consultation Paper is a critical step in formulating the blueprint for improving freight efficiency,” NSW transport minister Jo Haylen said.
“We encourage industry to get involved and provide feedback on how we can support a resilient freight sector, which will mean cheaper goods, delivered more quickly and efficiently, for the people of NSW.”
The Freight Reform Program will be overseen by an independent advisory panel led by Kerry Schott and include Australian Logistics Council CEO Hermione Parsons and Australian Naval Infrastructure chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo.
The government said the consultation paper outlines the guiding principles, scope and purpose of the reform.
It sets out to identify the key issues across the freight and logistics sector that would benefit from government and industry attention.
The reform will also include further consultation on the draft NSW Heavy Vehicle Access Policy and recommendations made in the Review of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS).
The NSW government has directed industry to the Transport for NSW Freight Policy Reform website for more information. Online submissions will be open until 31 May 2024.
