The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) hosted a workshop to explore the impact of existing fees, charges and regulatory requirements recently as part of a new research project to support improved outcomes in the freight sector.

The workshop outcomes will inform ARA being delivered in partnership with WSP and Blue Arcadia to address price, regulatory and operational differences between road and rail freight to improve competitive neutrality and support mode shift to rail.

Competitive neutrality in freight is a complex issue shaped by decades of infrastructure investment, regulatory decisions, market structures and policy settings across Australian jurisdictions. Rail freight often faces different fees, access charges and compliance requirements compared to road freight, influencing transport choices for customers.

To better understand these challenges and explore reform opportunities, the ARA convened a workshop with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including rail and road freight operators, rail infrastructure managers, and freight customers. Discussions examined the range of fees, charges and regulatory requirements impacting both modes, and considered short, medium and long-term policy and regulatory reforms to improve rail’s competitiveness.

Insights from the workshop will inform the ARA’s final project report, which will form the basis of a comprehensive advocacy campaign. This campaign will focus on securing policy and regulatory changes that enable more freight to be moved by rail, delivering benefits for productivity, sustainability and safety.