Local Government's Freight Strategy
ALGA wants to know about the regional transport plans developed by councils across Australia.
These plans demonstrate councils' capacity to collaborate and to play an essential role in regional economic development and national productivity. ALGA will use them to form part of the evidence base to support the call for a Commonwealth funding program to invest in key regional freight routes.
In May 2017, the Government established an Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities. The Inquiry will inform the Australian Government on approaches to improve freight and supply chain efficiency and capacity, and to reduce the costs of transporting goods through our major container ports, airports and intermodal terminals.
On local roads, an investment in strategic freight routes can unlock transport productivity particularly in regional and rural Australia. It is essential that local government's voice is heard by the Government and by key decision-makers. We need to demonstrate that further strategic investment is needed to address first and last mile issues, and that there are opportunities for investment right across the country.
Last year ALGA released its Local Government Higher Productivity Investment Plan (Freight Strategy) The Plan shows that local government is an essential partner in providing solutions to improve transport productivity. The Freight Strategy calls for a Commonwealth Government investment of $200 million per year for five years to enable councils to be address first and last mile access issues on key regional freight routes.
To support this proposal ALGA has a number of excellent examples of regional transport plans that have been developed by Regional Organisations of Councils (ROC) and groups of councils.
However, these examples do not tell the full national story. ALGA is seeking more case studies and examples of regional transport plans, ideally, we'd like a register of every plan undertaken by every ROC or regional groups of councils.
What do we want from you?
We would like you to send us the following information by 29 September 2017.
- Name of regional partnership/regional road group
- Councils included in the partnership
- Short summary of regional freight plan or regional freight initiative and/or link to the document online
- Map of area
- Photos
- Additional information, for example have you identified and prioritised individual projects?
Please send the details of the transport plans that you know of, to Clare Sullivan at ALGA by email clare.sullivan@alga.asn.au or call her to discuss this on 02 6122 9400.