NINE industry bodies and 20 companies have signed a letter urging the New South Wales government to retain and protect Sydney’s industrial land.
The Greater Sydney Commission is presently conducting a Review of Industrial and Urban Services Land Policy following the NSW Productivity Commission’s recommendation to review current industrial land protections in Sydney.
In the letter, the signatories said freight is vitally important to every Australian, yet it is often forgotten when urban growth and residential development are being discussed.
“Supply chains require available and strategically located industrial lands. As some of Australia’s and NSW’s leading industry and supply chain partners, we are deeply concerned by the NSW Productivity Commission’s recommendation to review current industrial land protections in Sydney. This review holds significant risk for the productivity and efficiency of Sydney’s future supply chain, but also has broader implications across our connected national network,” the letter reads.
“The efficiency of this system impacts heavily on the cost, speed and competitiveness of goods purchased and exported. The erosion of industrial lands and freight corridors ultimately increases costs for businesses and consumers as operators are forced to relocate further away.”
The letter said distance creates operational inefficiencies, which adds extra trucks to already congested roads. And the freight task is only expected to increase with skyrocketing demand for e-commerce.
“It is a matter of critical importance to the future of port, freight and logistics operations in NSW and nationally, that industrial lands and freight corridors are protected to ensure the smooth operation of our current and future cities and country,” the letter reads.
The industry bodies that signed the letter include AI Group; ALC; Cement and Concrete aggregates Australia; CTAA; CSCL; ICHCA; Infrastructure Partnerships Australia; Ports Australia; and Road Freight NSW.
Some companies that signed the letter include ACFS; ARTC; DP World Australia; Linx Cargo Care Group; NSW Ports; Patrick Terminals; Price and Speed; Qube; Smit Lamnalco; Toll Group; Tyne Container Services; and others.
