NORTH WEST Freight Transport Strategy
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NORTH WEST Freight Transport Strategy Department of Infrastructure NORTH WEST FREIGHT TRANSPORT STRATEGY Final Report May 2002 This report has been prepared by the Department of Infrastructure, VicRoads, Mildura Rural City Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council and the North West Municipalities Association to guide planning and development of the freight transport network in the north-west of Victoria. The State Government acknowledges the participation and support of the Councils of the north-west in preparing the strategy and the many stakeholders and individuals who contributed comments and ideas. Department of Infrastructure Strategic Planning Division Level 23, 80 Collins St Melbourne VIC 3000 www.doi.vic.gov.au Final Report North West Freight Transport Strategy Table of Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... i 1. Strategy Outline. ...........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................1 1.2 Strategy Outcomes.................................................................................................................1 1.3 Planning Horizon.....................................................................................................................1 1.4 Other Investigations ................................................................................................................1 1.5 Structure of report ...................................................................................................................2 2. Context...........................................................................................................................................5 2.1 Population ...............................................................................................................................5 2.2 Economy .................................................................................................................................7 2.3 Potential Moderating Factors ..................................................................................................7 2.4 Policy Framework....................................................................................................................7 3. Current Commodity Production. .................................................................................................8 3.1 Irrigated Horticulture................................................................................................................8 3.2 Quarry Products ......................................................................................................................8 3.3 Grain .......................................................................................................................................8 3.4 General Freight .......................................................................................................................8 3.5 Through Commodity Movements............................................................................................9 4. Future Commodity Growth ........................................................................................................13 4.1 Irrigated Horticulture..............................................................................................................13 4.2 Mineral Sands.......................................................................................................................13 4.3 Quarry Products ....................................................................................................................14 4.4 Grain .....................................................................................................................................14 4.5 Other Freight.........................................................................................................................14 5. Current Freight Networks...........................................................................................................16 5.1 Rail Network and Operations ................................................................................................16 5.2 Road Network .......................................................................................................................16 5.3 Inter-modal Facilities.............................................................................................................17 5.4 Containerised Freight............................................................................................................18 5.5 Air Transport .........................................................................................................................18 5.6 Key Issues.............................................................................................................................19 6. Future Freight Environment.......................................................................................................20 6.1 Victorian Government Policy.................................................................................................20 6.2 Rail Standardisation..............................................................................................................20 6.3 Passenger Rail Services.......................................................................................................20 6.4 Brisbane-Melbourne Rail Link...............................................................................................20 6.5 General Movements..............................................................................................................20 6.6 Inland Ports ...........................................................................................................................21 Final Report North West Freight Transport Strategy Table of Contents 7. Future Freight Demands. ...........................................................................................................22 7.1 Methodology..........................................................................................................................22 7.2 Future Rail Demands ............................................................................................................22 7.3 Future Road Freight Demands .............................................................................................23 7.4 Air Freight Demand...............................................................................................................24 7.5 Additional/LongTerm Demands............................................................................................24 8. The Strategy ................................................................................................................................32 8.1 Rail ........................................................................................................................................32 8.2 Conversion to Standard Gauge ............................................................................................32 8.3 Road Freight.........................................................................................................................36 8.4 Bridges ..................................................................................................................................38 8.5 Freight Transport Regulations ..............................................................................................39 8.6 Transport Safety....................................................................................................................39 8.7 Inter-Modal Interchanges......................................................................................................39 8.8 Planning Issues.....................................................................................................................40 9. The Strategy: Longer Term or Further Actions. ......................................................................44 9.1 Long-term or Further Considerations....................................................................................44 9.2 Protecting Long-term Options ...............................................................................................44 10. References.................................................................................................................................45 Appendices Appendix A: Definitions of rail track quality and classifications Appendix B: Definitions of road functional classification Appendix C: Murray River crossings Appendix D: Methodology Appendix E: Strategic local roads Final Report North West Freight Transport Strategy 1. Strategy Outline The North West Freight Transport Strategy (NWFTS) 1.3 Planning Horizon provides a framework and directions for developing freight paths to markets, ports and producers. In determining future needs, the strategy has adopted a twenty-year planning horizon. Projections It identifies infrastructure projects and planning over this period represent a compromise between actions required to ensure reliable and efficient freight seeing far enough ahead to make sensible movements that serve the local and State economy. investment decisions while having confidence in The role of all freight modes are