Download Simon-Ramsay-VFF - Rail Freight Alliance

Simon Ramsay
President
Rail Freight
• Grains industry dependent on efficient rail
transport
• Average of 2 million tonnes of grain moves by
rail
• Predicted to rise to nearly 3 million tonnes by
2035
Rail Freight
• Increasing use of containers for agriculture
produce
• Approximately 12 million tonnes
containerized product in 2004-05 through the
port
• 1.8 million tonnes currently carried on the
regional freight network
• An efficient network would see a greater
share move from road to rail
Rail Freight
• Agronomic productivity growth highest
growth of all sectors
• 3.8 % pa over 20 years
• Need to also focus on supply chain
productivity
• Competitive Rail Freight is a key to
maintaining international
competitiveness
Rail Freight
• Reduced fuel consumption
– 33% less fuel than road transport
• Reduced C02 emissions
Climate Change Working Group of the Commission for Integrated Transport:
CO2 Emissions from Freight Transport in the UK:
Rail Freight
• Economic Impact
– Increasing fuel prices
– Carbon cost added to fuel
– Road deterioration
– Peak road transport capacity
• Would all add cost to Australia’s farm
production
Rail Freight Forum
• The loss of rail access will have long
term consequences for regions
“Any decisions regarding whether or not track should or should not be retained
must be taken with the view that once lost it is unlikely to be regained and any
future opportunity to develop centres of activity anywhere along that route are
probably lost forever.”
(Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development submission Regioal
Freight Rail Review.)
Rail Freight Forum
• The loss of efficient rail freight access
will have substantial and on-going
economic impacts on regions
– Increased production costs
– Increased road maintenance costs
– Loss of development
– Loss of jobs and population