The Hon Jo Haylen MP, NSW Minister for Transport and member of the NSW Legislative Assembly, has announced a new policy reform program that will review the different parts of the supply chain.
Ports, rail, road and intermodal facilities all considered as part of a coordinated supply chain “to determine the right policy framework to optimise safety, sustainability and productivity,” a statement reads.
The NSW Government says that the program will deliver a prioritised and practical policy reform focused on the key current and emerging challenges facing the NSW freight task.
The program will be led by Transport for NSW under the leadership of an independent advisory panel consisting of well known figures Kerry Schott AO, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, and Dr Hermione Parsons.
“Immediate priorities for the panel will include consideration of the determination of compensation to be paid by the Port of Newcastle for increasing container operations as part of NSW port policy. The panel will also review and consult with industry on the recommendations made by Mr Ed Willett’s review of the port regulatory framework and the regulation of the movement of containers at Port Botany. The program will identify short, medium and long-term actions for Government to support the ongoing improvement of freight transport across NSW,” a statement reads.
Minister Haylen commented: “Safe, sustainable, and productive freight transport is critical to support the people, businesses and industries of NSW. A more productive freight sector can deliver reduced costs for businesses and lower retail prices for ordinary people right across NSW. Our freight network is still too disjointed and inefficient with policy and infrastructure bottlenecks right across the supply chain. I am pleased to be able to announce the beginning of this significant reform agenda to inform government policy and provide an evidence-based action plan that will optimise the freight transport network in NSW. The appointment of the Independent Advisory Panel will work with my department and provide independent and expert advice on the Program. I have confidence that with their diverse expertise in their fields, the Panel is well placed to lead us through this significant reform in freight transport policy.”
Consultation, including a discussion paper, will be released later this year.
Further information
Find out more about the Freight Policy Reform Program