CSIRO Mapping shows Inland Rail benefits.
ARA CEO Danny Broad has welcomed the release of a CSIRO pilot study that identifies potential transport savings and road-to-rail modal shift that may eventuate from Inland Rail and further supports the other benefits of the project.
The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Michael McCormack today launched the pilot study, jointly funded by the CSIRO and the Australian Government to model cost savings offered by moving freight to Inland Rail in the region between Parkes and Narromine in central NSW.
“Studies such as this provide industry with important information to help better understand the range of economic and social benefits that will be achieved through the construction of the Inland Rail project,” Mr Broad said.
“Industry welcomes the CSIRO study and acknowledges the significant benefits Inland Rail will deliver the range of stakeholders who rely on efficient and cost-effective supply chains.
“With freight between Melbourne and Brisbane set to double by 2050, our nation requires dedicated freight rail infrastructure that avoids Sydney which often acts as a bottleneck in the movement of freight on the north-south rail corridor.
“Notwithstanding the efficiency benefits that will be achieved from moving freight between Brisbane and Melbourne by rail, Inland Rail will also significantly reduce the number of trucks on the road which has obvious safety benefits for Australian motorists,” he said.
The study, utilises the formers’ Transport Network Strategic Investment Tool (TraNSIT) to model the potential benefits of a shift from using heavy-vehicle road freight to the use of the Inland Railway in this area. Data was provided by industry.
The study found that cost savings of up to $76 per tonne could be made if horticultural produce currently moved by truck was to be transported on Inland Rail; and $31 per tonne if the same products currently moved on the coastal rail route shifted to Inland Rail.
This change could also have the effect of removing 63,000 trucks per annum from the Newell Highway substantially reducing congestion and carbon emission levels.
Connecting Melbourne and Brisbane in under 24 hours, Inland Rail is a safe, reliable and efficient freight transport system which will improve rail connections to capital cities and ports and link Brisbane with Perth and Adelaide for the first times. It will provide the backbone of the national freight supply chain and is scheduled to be operational by 2025.
ARA’s Value of Rail report estimates that one train can carry the loads of around 110 trucks.
To enhance community understanding about how this nationally significant infrastructure project will transform the movement of freight in Australia, the ARA and the Australian Logistics Council will be holding an Inland Rail Conference in Toowoomba on 21, 22 August 2019. For further information on the conference visit https://ara.net.au/events-and-networking/inland-rail-conference
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