An efficient freight system in Tasmania is critical to supporting economic growth and job creation – the Liberal Government’s number one priority.
We committed before the election to establish Infrastructure Tasmania and charge it with coordinating freight infrastructure planning for the State.
Today, in an important step in addressing barriers to productivity and job creation in Tasmania, we are pleased to release the draft Tasmanian Integrated Freight Strategy for public comment.
The strategy identifies 33 policy directions and actions across four key areas:
1. Competition and service choice across Bass Strait
2. Efficient freight gateways
3. High-standard, responsive land freight connections
4. A single, integrated freight system
Improved freight outcomes will only be delivered by government and industry working together.
The draft strategy recommends ongoing, structured engagement with industry to inform future freight planning, including implementation of the final Tasmanian Integrated Freight Strategy.
Reliable, cost-effective market access will always be an important issue for Tasmanian businesses; particularly given our status as an island state.
In fact, it is critical if we are to realise the outcomes from our Government’s vision and investment in sectors such as agriculture and aquaculture, and if we are to capitalise on the growing national and international demand for our products.
The Government and Infrastructure Tasmania have engaged widely with industry on sea and air access across Bass Strait, with a focus on the container market and time-sensitive freight.
Infrastructure Tasmania is now seeking public feedback on the draft strategy.
Submissions are welcome from any interested party and will close on 29 January 2016. A final strategy is expected to be released in April.
We encourage all Tasmanians with an interest in an efficient freight sector to read the draft strategy and have their say on future priorities for freight planning and investment in our State.
The draft strategy and a number of supporting reports can be found online at www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/home/about_us/infrastructure/freight