Charting the path forward for Victoria’s freight future

11 Jun, 2024

Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne met with more than 80 freight and logistics industry leaders to discuss the next phase of the Victorian Freight Plan and chart a path forward for the state’s $36 billion freight sector.

Consultation has commenced on the revised plan which will be developed in partnership with industry, examining pathways to decarbonise the freight and logistics sector as Victoria works towards its ambitious 2045 net-zero emissions targets.

Industry is already coming to the table with operators like Patrick Terminals at the Port of Melbourne investing in ten new hybrid straddles, reducing fuel consumption by up to 40 per cent and supporting the Government’s decarbonisation strategy.

Since the Victorian Freight Plan was launched in 2018, the sector has been impacted by the pandemic, global conflicts and disruptions, which have put the importance of securing supply chains firmly in the spotlight.

Despite these challenges, the Victorian Government’s has invested more than $360 million in rail freight maintenance since 2020. This investment provides industry with the confidence to put more of their goods on trains.

This investment has led to heavier and longer trains being used on our network and has led to a 95 per cent increase in grain volumes moved by rail in Victoria between July and December 2023, when compared the same period in 2022.

The freight and logistics industry is a major economic enabler, particularly for the state’s agricultural sector, and employs more than 260,000 Victorians.

Victoria continues to lead the nation when it comes to exporting goods, with the Port of Melbourne handling more than a third of Australia’s container trade.

Consultation is now open for the updated Victorian Freight Plan and closes on 30 June 2024, you can submit your feedback on: engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-freight-plan-update.

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