The Victorian State Government has launched a new strategy for the state to deal with the expected growth in freight volumes in coming years, the announcement of the Victorian Freight and Logistics Plan has been welcomed by the nation-wide Australian Logistics Council (ALC).

ALC Managing Director Michael Kilgariff says: “The freight strategy estimates that the freight and logistics sector contributed between $19 - $23 billion, or about eight per cent of total economic activity, to Victoria's economy in 2011... given ALC estimates that the sector is about 14.5 per cent of the economy, that figure could be much higher.”

According to estimates by the ALC freight task nationally will almost triple by 2050, with containerised imports and exports from Victoria set to reach nearly four times their current figures.

The Victorian Freight and Logistics Plan includes a renewed focus on investment in freight infrastructure, said Mr Kilgariff, “ALC notes that the Plan commits the Government to a transport network and rail link to connect the Port of Hastings to the regional and national freight network... this includes the development of the East-West Link, a focus on short-haul rail, as well as a rail freight network development strategy... it is therefore imperative that this strategy gives confidence to industry that, while remaining flexible, it underpins decisions across the life of many Governments.”

In the recently-released ALC Election Priorities document the Logistics Council pledged to ensure Victoria retains the title of ‘Australia's freight and logistics capital’.

Details of the new Victorian Freight and Logistics plan are available from the state’s Department of Transport.